Postmedia News/ Global Television

Toronto, ON – The Conservative attack ads against Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and the Liberal party appear to be having little impact—except perhaps to move some soft NDP votes into the arms of the Grits, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Liberal Leader and Premier Kathleen Wynne appears to be making a good first impression on Ontarians, but that doesn’t seem to be helping her party’s level of support, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the National Post, Global Television and CFRB Radio NewsTalk 1010. Reflecting on her first few months in office, six in ten (59%) Ontarians believe that she has done a good job. Despite this, it appears that the Ontario Liberals have lost their lustre.

Toronto, ON – At the midway point of Harper’s first majority and third mandate, Canadians’ approval of the Prime Minister’s performance remains relatively consistent, even though many have become enamoured with the presumptive heir of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau. According to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television, two in five (42%, down 3 points since last year) ‘approve’ of the performance of the Conservative government under the leadership of Stephen Harper, while three in five (58%, up 3 points.) ‘disapprove’ of the Harper government’s performance. With approximately two years to go before an election anything is possible, but if those who approve of his performance are prepared to support him in the next election, the Tories could be on their way to a fourth mandate.

Toronto, ON – Despite the fact that a majority (70%) of Canadians believe the Liberals will rule again someday and that six in ten (61%) think the Grits under Justin Trudeau have the best chance of beating Prime Minister Harper's governing Tories (a majority of current NDP voters think so too), a strong majority (73%) believe that if he wasn't his father’s son he would not be where he is today. A majority (65%) of Liberal voters think so too.

Toronto, ON – As Liberals gather this weekend to elect their new leader – presumably Justin Trudeau, son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau – a new Ipsos Reid poll has revealed that the affable, charismatic man has the potential to turn-around recent Liberal misfortunes, effectively creating a three-way race nationally and in key battleground provinces. Moreover, he trumps the other leaders in many key leadership attributes.

Toronto, ON – While Catholics in Canada are looking forward to the upcoming reign of newly elected Pope Francis I, Canadians appear satisfied with the job done by Pope Benedict, according to a new poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. A majority (59%) of Canadians ‘agree’ (9% strongly/50% somewhat) that ‘Pope Benedict did a good job as Pope’, while four in ten (41%) ‘disagree’ (13% strongly/28% somewhat). Catholics, in particular, are more likely to agree (69%) that he did a good job as Pope, while fewer disagreed (31%) that he did a good job.

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Senate has been the focus of numerous scandals the past few weeks, ranging from charges against Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau and his resulting leave-of-absence, to questionable housing and travel expenses that have led to an externally-led audit of numerous Senators’ expense claims.

Toronto, ON – A new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of the National Post, Global Television and NewsTalk 1010 indicates that if a vote were held tomorrow on the idea of building a casino in the city of Toronto, a majority (52%) would vote in favor versus a minority (42%) who would oppose the casino and another 6% are not sure. In fact, the question was asked twice in the questionnaire: first at the outset (above) and then at the end when all of the various issues that have been argued by both sides in favor or in opposition to the casino were provided for the 906 respondents. Results of the second vote within the poll actually showed an increase in support from 52% to 54% with opposition remaining at 42% while those who are unsure dropped 5%. As such, it looks like those who are in favor and those who are against a casino are in two very distinct solitudes but it’s those in favor who are currently winning the day.

Toronto, ON – Last week’s protests by First Nations activists appear to have had a hardening effect on Canadian public opinion regarding Aboriginal issues, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of the National Post/Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – On the heels of an Ontario Labour Relations Board ruling that a day of protest planned by the Elementary Teachers Federation and its members across the province was illegal and sending them back to the classroom, a new poll conducted for Global Television, the National Post/Post Media and NewsTalk 1010 by Ipsos Reid shows an Ontario public deeply divided on the cause and conduct of the two main combatants but resolute in some potential remedies to the current dispute between the Ontario Government and its Teachers Unions.

Toronto, ON – Canadians are having an optimistic outlook for the future as many believe Canada will be better off five years from now than it is currently, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. A majority (62%) ‘agree’ (11% strongly/51% somewhat) that Canada will be better off in 2017 – the 150th anniversary of Confederation – that it is today’, compared to two in five (38%) who ‘disagree’ (9% strongly/29% somewhat) that Canada will be better off five years from now.

Toronto, ON – The NDP’s lustre as Canada’s official opposition party has not yet dulled, and many believe the party is ready for the next step – to govern the country – according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Nearly half (45%) of Canadians ‘agree’ (13% strongly/31% somewhat) that they think ‘the NDP is ready to be Canada’s next governing party’. Six in ten (55%), however, ‘disagree’ (26% strongly/29% somewhat) that they think the NDP is ready to assume the role of Canada’s next government. For a party that until the most recent election could not shake third-party status, the fact that nearly half of Canadians believe they’re ready to govern is a significant realignment in Canadian politics, which began under the leadership of the late Jack Layton.

Toronto, ON – Most Canadians are confident that the Liberals -- once Canada’s natural governing party—will return to power sometime under the reign of its next leader, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. A majority (56%) of Canadians ‘agree’ (13% strongly/44% somewhat) that ‘the Liberal Party, led by the person who wins the current leadership race, will someday return to power as Canada’s government’. A minority (44%) of Canadians, on the other hand, ‘disagree’ (12% strongly/31% somewhat) that the next Liberal leader will one day be Prime Minister.

Toronto, ON – Prime Minister Stephen Harper has an approval rating of 45%, only a modest decline since last year, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News. Nearly half (45%) ‘approve’ (11% strongly/33% somewhat) of the ‘the way Stephen Harper is handling his job as Prime Minister’, while a majority (55%) of Canadians ‘disapprove’ (26% strongly/29% somewhat) of Harper’s ability to handle the top job in Canada. But in a country where it doesn’t take a majority of the popular vote to secure a majority government, if most of those who approve of the Prime Minister’s party support his candidates in the next election, the Conservatives would be likely to have another strong showing on Election Day in 2015.

Toronto, ON – Canadians are losing confidence in the RCMP and believe they’re doing a worse job when compared to a similar poll conducted 5 years ago, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. While significantly fewer Canadians believe that both the top brass (down 15 points) and rank and file officers (down 13 points) are doing a good job compared to the 2007 poll, Canadians are much more likely to believe that the rank and file officers are doing a good job (69%) than the senior leadership (46%).

Toronto, ON – Canadians believe the Harper government could be doing more to protect the environment, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Only two in five (39%) Canadians ‘agree’ (6% strongly/32% somewhat) that ‘the Harper government is doing a good job in protecting Canada’s environment’. Three in five (61%), however, ‘disagree’ (29% strongly/32% somewhat) that the Harper government is good job protecting the environment.

Toronto, ON – All things considered, four in five (80%) Canadians say 2012 was a ‘good’ (25% very/55% somewhat) year for them and their family, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. The proportion of Canadians who believe that 2012 was good to them and their family has increased 5 points since last year when three-quarters (75%) of Canadians said 2011 was good for them and their family. Only one in five (20%) cite 2012 as a ‘bad’ (5% very/15% somewhat) year for them and their family, down 5 points from 2011.

Toronto, ON – Looking ahead to the New Year, most Canadians have a positive outlook on Canada’s economy, especially those living in the west, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Two-thirds (65%) of Canadians expect 2013 to be a ‘good’ (8% very/57% somewhat) year for the Canadian economy, while one in three (35%) believe it will be a ‘bad’ (6% very/29% somewhat) year going forward.

Toronto, ON – Canadians believe the top two international news stories of the year occurred in the United States, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. The data, collected prior to the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newton, Connecticut, reveal that Hurricane Sandy (20%) has been chosen as the top international story of 2012, with the U.S. Election (18%) a close second from among a list of 14 possibilities as assembled by Postmedia News. Rounding out the top five international news stories of the year are the Summer Olympic Games in London (14%), the Civil War in Syria (11%), and the NHL lockout (10%). The following table outlines in full the top international stories of 2012 as chosen by Canadians:

Toronto, ON – One in five (21%) Canadians believe the federal budget containing billions in spending cuts, including future changes to the public pension plan, was the top Canadian political story of 2012, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. The poll presented a list of ten options as assembled by Postmedia News, but four stories in particular rose to the top of the list.
Following closely in second place, 18% of Canadians believe the massive Alberta beef recall – which was the largest of its kind in Canadian history – deserves the distinction of this year’s top political story. An equal portion (18%) of Canadians say that the Quebec student protests over proposed tuition hikes is this year’s top news story, with a majority (55%) of Quebecers believing this was the top story of the year.

Toronto, ON - Stratford singing sensation Justin Bieber is the top Canadian newsmaker of 2012, according to new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. According to Canadians, international teen singer and heartthrob Justin Bieber (17%) slightly edges out Prime Minister Stephen Harper (15%) for the accolade of the country’s top newsmaker this year, among a list of 15 candidates assembled by Postmedia News. The table below outlines in full the top Canadian newsmakers of 2012.

Toronto, ON – With the debate between using ‘Christmas’ versus the more inclusive reference to ‘holidays’ continuing year after year, a strong majority of Canadians are still set in their ways and prefer the traditional moniker, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Three-quarters (72%) of Canadians ‘think we should refer to the end of the year as the ‘Christmas Season’ because that is the original meaning and purpose of the holiday’, down 1 point from 2011 but up 1 point from 2010. Three in ten (28%), however, think ‘we should refer to the end of the year as the ‘Holiday Season’ because not everyone celebrates Christmas and it’s important to be inclusive of other religions and cultures’, which is up 1 point from 2011 but down 1 point from 2010.

Toronto, ON – When it comes to increased trade talks with China, a majority of Canadians do not want a trade agreement similar to the one Canada has with the United States, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Three in five (59%) ‘disagree’ (23% strongly/36% somewhat) that ‘Canada should enter into a Free Trade agreement with China like the one we have with the US’, while two in five (41%) ‘agree’ (7% strongly/34% somewhat) that Canada should enter into such an agreement.

Toronto, ON – Most Canadians want to put a stop to the sale of Canadian companies to foreign investors – particularly if that investor is a state-owned enterprise – according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Two-thirds (68%) of Canadians ‘agree’ (29% strongly/38% somewhat) that ‘the Harper government should stop the sale of Canadian companies to all foreign investors’. Just one in three (32%) Canadians, however, ‘disagree’ (7% strongly/25% somewhat) that the government should stop the sale of companies to foreign investors.

Toronto, ON – The entrance of Justin Trudeau into the Liberal leadership race, and the resulting buzz surrounding the Liberal Party, appears to have helped the Liberals gain back support from the NDP, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – With all eyes in Canada pointed south to watch the American Election being held on Tuesday, it appears that many Canadians are supportive of adopting many U.S.-style components for use in Canadian elections, but draw the line on other uniquely-American components, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Although Ipsos/Reuters tracking has the current presidential race within 1 point as of November 1st, nine in ten (90%) Canadians believe Barack Obama will retain his position in the Oval Office on November 6th, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Only one in ten (10%) Canadians believe Republican challenger Mitt Romney will unseat the President. Quebecers (94%), Ontarians (91%), and British Columbians (90%) are most likely to believe that the Presidency will not change hands, while residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (15%), Alberta (14%), and Atlantic Canada (14%) are most likely to believe Mitt Romney will be victorious.

Toronto, ON – Amid the backdrop of newly-released Canadian census data which revealed that 17% of Canadians are bilingual, a recent Ipsos Reid poll for Postmedia News and Global Television revels that only one in ten (10%) Canadians ‘strongly agree’ that they consider themselves bilingual, with another 8% only ‘somewhat agreeing’ that they consider themselves to be proficient in both languages.

Toronto, ON – With Parliament having resumed from its summer break, two in three (68%) Canadians believe that a top priority of Parliament should be to improve the quality of the health care system, placing it tops on the list of priorities, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Nine in ten (86%) ‘agree’ (28% strongly/58% somewhat) that ‘schools should invest money in better and new technology to help teach kids’, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of Global Television, the sixth and final instalment in a six-part series on education. Just one in ten (14%) ‘disagree’ (2% strongly/12% somewhat) with this kind of investment. Quebecers (90%) most agree investment for better and new technology to teach kids should occur, followed by Ontarians (86%), Atlantic Canadians (86%), Albertans (85%), residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (83%), and British Columbians (79%).

Toronto, ON – There appears to be a significant concern in Canada about the education and care given to elementary students in the public system with special needs, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Global Television, the fifth instalment of a six-part series on education. Seven in ten (72%) are ‘concerned’ (28% very/44% somewhat) about ‘access to special needs education’, while three in ten (28%) are ‘not concerned’ (6% strongly/23% somewhat) about this aspect of elementary public-school education.

Toronto, ON – Most (86%) Canadians are ‘concerned’ (48% strongly/38% somewhat) about ‘the performance of school children on basic things like reading, writing and math’, while few (14%) are ‘not concerned’ (3% strongly/12% somewhat) about public elementary school children’s performance in these key areas, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Global Television, the fourth instalment of a six-part series on education. Quebecers (89%) are most ‘concerned’ (47% very/41% somewhat) about performance in these areas, followed by Albertans (86%), Ontarians (85%), British Columbians (84%), and residents of Atlantic Canada (83%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (83%).

Toronto, ON – A primary concern many Canadians appear to have about the public education system is the continued existence of bullying at public elementary schools. This concern, however, extends beyond the confines of the schoolyard and into cyberspace, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of Global Television, the third instalment of a six-part series on education.

Toronto, ON – With the election of the Parti Quebecois on September 4th as the new government of Quebec under the leadership of incoming premier Pauline Marois – the first separatist government in nearly a decade – a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global Television and Postmedia News has revealed that if Canada were to negotiate the terms of a separation with Quebec, most would want the rest of Canada to negotiate an outright breakup of the country, rather than a political or economic association. Furthermore, a majority Quebecers and those in the rest of Canada would expect the “clear majority” threshold to be set quite high at two-thirds or 66%, and not just a bare majority of 50% + 1, as was the case in 1995.

Toronto, ON – Two in three (68%) Canadians are ‘concerned’ (30% very/38% somewhat) about ‘labour unrest like work-to-rule, strikes and lockouts’ as they relate to the elementary public-school system, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Global Television, the second instalment of a six-part series on education. On the other hand, one in three (32%) are ‘not concerned’ (7% not at all/25% not very). Concern is highest in British Columbia (79%) and Ontario (74%), but lower in Quebec (66%), Alberta (58%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (55%) and Atlantic Canada (52%).

Toronto, ON – As children across the country stuff their backpacks with fresh supplies in anticipation of the first day back to school, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Global Television, the first of a six-part series on education, has revealed that Canadians have given mediocre marks to the overall state of the elementary school system in Canada.

Toronto, ON – If they lost their job tomorrow, six in ten (58%) working Canadians ‘agree’ (17% strongly/41% somewhat) that they could easily find work in their field with comparable compensation, according to a new poll by Ipsos Reid, the final in a series on workplace attitudes, conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television. However, four in ten (42%) working Canadians aren’t so confident, ‘disagreeing’ (14% strongly/28% somewhat) that they could find work in their field at comparable pay.

Toronto, ON – A new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid, the second in a series of workplace attitudes conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television, has given Canadians the opportunity to debunk or reinforce some workplace stereotypes regarding older workers that could be at play in Canada.

Toronto, ON – Three-quarters (74%) of Canadians ‘agree’ (26% strongly/48% somewhat) that when it comes to hiring, they think that ‘workplaces discriminate against older workers who are looking for jobs’, according to the first poll in a three-part series about older workers conducted by Ipsos Reid, exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television. Conversely, one-quarter (26%) of Canadians ‘disagree’ (3% strongly/23% somewhat) that workplaces discriminate in this manner. While a majority of Canadians of all ages agree, those aged 55+ (78%) and between the ages of 35 to 54 (80%) are considerably more likely than Canadians aged 18 to 34 (59%) to think so.

Toronto, ON – Reflecting on some of the key social-values questions facing Canadians individually and the country as a whole, a new poll – the 7th in a series of polls examining Canadian values, icons and culture conducted on behalf of Global Television and Postmedia News – finds that Canadians’ defence of abortion rights and same-sex marriage has grown, while at the same time Canadians are once again becoming more favourable to the idea of capital punishment.

Toronto, ON – A new poll reveals that Canadians have more trust in their local, municipal governments than their provincial or federal governments, and also believe they get better value for the taxes they pay from their local government, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. The poll is the 6th in a series conducted for Canada Day examining the values, beliefs, symbols and icons of Canadians.

Toronto, ON – A new poll finds that a majority of (66%) Canadians ‘support’ (32% strongly/34% somewhat) action that would see ‘the position of marijuana in small amounts decriminalized so that it no longer carries a penalty or fine’, according to the 5th instalment of a special series examining Canadian values, icons and culture conducted on behalf of Global Television and Postmedia News. Only one in three (34%) Canadians says they ‘disagree’ (18% strongly/16% somewhat) with decriminalizing the possession of marijuana in small amounts.

Toronto, ON – Three-quarters (72%) of Canadians ‘disagree’ (34% strongly/38% somewhat) that ‘Canada should let in more immigrants than it currently does’, according to the fourth instalment in a special series on Canada conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Believing that Canada should open its doors wider, three in ten (28%) ‘agree’ (5% strongly/23% somewhat) that Canada should take in more immigrants than its current amount.

Toronto, ON – As Canada’s birthday is celebrated from coast to coast, a new Ipsos Reid poll – the third in a series of polls examining Canadian values, icons and culture conducted on behalf of Global Television and Postmedia News – has revealed that Canadians believe their country’s wilderness, flag, national anthem and hockey best reflect what Canada really is. Asked whether or not the following are good or poor reflections for what Canada really is, the following is how Canadians ranked these symbols and icons:

Toronto, ON – Thinking about the possibility of Quebec separating from Canada and creating its own country, a new poll – the second instalment in a special series on Canada conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television – reveals that almost half (49%) of Canadians living outside of Quebec ‘agree’ (26% strongly/23% somewhat) that they ‘don’t really care if Quebec separates from Canada’. Conversely, the other half (51%) ‘disagrees’ (30% strongly/21% somewhat) with this sentiment.

Toronto, ON – Given the option among a for-profit model, not-for-profit model or a mix of both approaches for the healthcare system in Canada, a majority (53%) of Canadians would opt for a ‘mixed model whereby services are paid for by governments and delivered by the public sector, but patients could seek treatment outside the system and pay for it themselves or through private insurance to private-sector clinics and practices’.

Toronto, ON – The New Democrats (38%) and the Conservatives (35%) are in a tight fight for the lead in federal support, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Liberal support continues to wane (18%).

Toronto, ON – Four of the top five most trusted professions in the eyes of Canadians reside within the health care sector, while firefighters top the list of forty-one professions to come out as Canada’s most trust profession studied, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Nearly nine in ten (88%) Canadians say they trust firefighters, scoring them a 5, 6, or 7 on a trust scale of 1 to 7. Following closely are emergency medical technicians (86%), nurses (85%), and pharmacists (78%). Rounding out the top-five spots are doctors, who are trusted by 75% of the population.

Vancouver, BC – A new Ipsos Reid poll shows Adrian Dix’s NDP continuing to expand their lead over Christy Clark’s BC Liberals among British Columbia’s decided voters. The poll also shows public approval of Christy Clark has fallen dramatically since February and for the first time more British Columbians think Adrian Dix would make a better premier.

Toronto, ON – Following lavish celebrations in London and across the commonwealth to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years as sovereign of the United Kingdom, Canada and other commonwealth countries, a new Ipsos Reid poll has revealed that the celebrations have maintained her already-high levels of personal support, and Canadians have grown more favourable to the idea of the monarchy in Canada, in general.

Toronto, ON – A majority (56%) of Canadians ‘agree’ (19% strongly/38% somewhat) that they consider ‘the Liberal Party to be a party of the past, not a party of the future’, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Conversely, a minority (44%) ‘disagrees’ (12% strongly/32% somewhat) with this sentiment. Among Liberal party supporters, two in ten (21%) believe their own party is a party of the past, while eight in ten (79%) believe it’s a party of the future.

Toronto, ON – Bob Rae appears to have made a positive overall impression on Liberal supporters, but he may have a hard time wooing supporters of other parties back into the Liberal fold, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. The emerging question on the federal political scene, likely to be decided by Liberal Party brass in the next few weeks, is whether Bob Rae’s tenure at the helm of the Liberal Party will be temporary as initially intended, or whether he will have the opportunity to run and seek the permanent leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Toronto, ON – Liberal woes appear to be continuing as the NDP and Tories remain competitive for top spot, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Liberal support continues to be suppressed likely due to uncertainty surrounding the future of their leadership, while at the same time being eclipsed by the fanfare of the one-year anniversary of the Tory Majority victory, and a newly-elected NDP leader.

Toronto, ON – The NDP and newly-elected leader Thomas Mulcair are enjoying their honeymoon following the NDP leadership convention, while Stephen Harper and the Tories stumble from multiple controversies, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted for Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Reflecting on a recent decision by an Ontario court to strike down laws relating to prostitution and brothels, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News Service and Global Television reveals that two in three (65%) Canadians ‘agree’ (21% strongly/44% somewhat) that ‘prostitution in brothels should be legal in Canada’, including both a majority of men (75%) and women (55%). Just one in three (35%) ‘disagree’ (20% strongly/15% somewhat) with this proposition. While most Canadians agree, overall, it is interesting to note that the proportion of Canadians that strongly agrees (21%) equals the proportion that strongly disagrees (20%) with the legalization of brothels.

Toronto, ON – Canadians are more likely to encourage their children to pursue a career in some areas than others, with a profession in healthcare taking the top-three spots in a list of 30 professions, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – One half (49%) of Canadians are bracing for a ‘bad news’ federal budget – most especially those in Ontario (56%), Quebec (54%) and Atlantic Canada (54%) – according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television. A minority of Albertans (39%), British Columbians (36%) and residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (25%) believe the budget will be ‘bad news’ for people like them.

Toronto, ON – A majority (54%) of Canadians ‘approve’ (7% strongly/47% somewhat) of the federal government’s overall management of the Canadian economy, according to an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Conversely, nearly half (46%) ‘disapprove’ (14% strongly/32% somewhat) of the way the Harper Government has been handling this file.

Toronto, ON – While most (57%) believe that Elections Canada will get to the bottom of recent robo-calling allegations, a full majority (75%) supports an independent judicial inquiry into the matter, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Despite a tumultuous month in Ottawa due to recent announcements and scandals, the overall political landscape in Canada has yet to change in a significant way since the last federal election in May of last year, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Canadians are split on whether the robo-call accusations levied against the Conservative party about an organized conspiracy to suppress the oppositions’ vote during the last election are true, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. While Prime Minister Harper and the Conservatives maintain they had no knowledge of the calls, fully one half (50%) ‘agree’ (16% strongly/34% somewhat) that ‘these accusations are true and the Conservative Party had a coordinated campaign to deceive Canadian voters with misleading telephone calls in the last election’. Conversely, the other half (47%) of Canadians ‘disagree’ (20% strongly/26% somewhat), and 4% don’t know.

Toronto, ON – Despite fierce and vocal opposition to Bill C-30, also known as the “Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act”, those most vocal appear to be in the minority, according a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. A majority (56%) of online Canadians ‘support’ (15% strongly/41% somewhat) Bill C-30 as it stands, while a minority (44%) ‘oppose’ (21% strongly/23% somewhat).

Toronto, ON – In light of recent reports regarding attacks on Canadians while on vacation in Mexico, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Global Television and Postmedia News reveals that most (74%) Canadians believe that ‘Mexico has a serious safety and security problem in its tourist destinations’ and they would be ‘hesitant to book a trip to Mexico’ as a result.

Toronto, ON – Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada may face a tough public relations battle on Old-Age Security reform if it moves ahead with its plans to raise the age of eligibility to 67, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global Television and Postmedia news.

Toronto, ON – In the wake of the Costa Concordia disaster off the coast of Italy, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global TV and Postmedia News Service has revealed that three in ten (29%) Canadians believe the Costa Concordia disaster is ‘symptomatic of a bigger problem in the pleasure cruise industry’ and it has made them less likely to book a cruise if they wanted to take a vacation.

Toronto, ON – The top-five trusted professions from 2010 have reprised their role in the top five in 2011, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Eight in ten (78%, -1 point) Canadians say they trust pharmacists, scoring them a 5, 6, or 7 on a trust scale of 1 to 7. Following closely are doctors (75%, unchanged), Canadian soldiers (74%, +2 points), and airline pilots (73%, -2 points). Rounding out the top-five spots are teachers, who are trusted by 65% of the population (unchanged).

Toronto, ON – Things are looking up for Canadians, overall, in 2012 as nine in ten (88%) expect it to be a ‘good’ year (26% very/62% somewhat) for them and their family, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Conversely, just two in ten (12%) think that it will be a ‘bad’ year (3% very/9% somewhat) for them and their family.

Toronto, ON – All things considered, three quarters (74%) of Canadians say that 2011 was a good year (15% very/59% somewhat) for them and their family, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. While most say the year was good for them, one quarter (26%) of Canadians maintain that 2011 was a bad year (6% very/21% somewhat) for them.

Toronto, ON – From among a list of 15 possible contenders, four in ten (37%) Canadians believe that Royal Newlyweds Prince William and Kate – the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – are the top international newsmakers of 2011, according to a new poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. In a year filled with economic turmoil, political unrest and the death of numerous world leaders, Canadians chose the two most famous newlyweds in the world as the top newsmakers of the year. Nearly half of Atlantic Canadians (46%) and British Columbians (45%) say Wills and Kate are the top newsmakers, followed by those living in Alberta (38%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (37%), Ontario (37%) and Quebec (29%). Women (48%) were twice as likely (25%) to believe they’re the biggest newsmakers of the year.

Toronto, ON – Given a list of 14 possible contenders, nearly four in ten (37%) Canadians say that the death of Jack Layton, leader of the NDP, was the biggest Canadian news story of 2011, with no other news story coming close. The tragic loss of the likeable Jack Layton to cancer came only months after he led the NDP to its best showing in electoral history, firmly securing its position as the Official Opposition. The “orange crush”, in Quebec, displaced the Bloc as the alternative to the Conservatives, and painted much of the province orange. The outpouring of grief and support from Canadians, culminating in a touching celebration of his life at Roy Thompson Hall, culminate to make this event the top news story of 2011 in Canada. In fact, Quebecers (50%) are the most likely to say that the death of Jack Layton was the biggest news story in Canada, followed by those living in Atlantic Canada (43%), Ontario (38%), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (37%), British Columbia (26%) and Alberta (16%).

Toronto, ON – The year 2011 has been a newsworthy year. From celebration and triumph to death and disaster, this year has seen it all. Canadians were given a list of seven news stories and asked which one they believe was the biggest news story of 2011 outside of Canada. Interestingly, different demographic groups identified different top stories, but the aggregated results reveal the overall winner.

Toronto, ON – It appears that the Christmas turkey, as well as other holiday traditions, might be getting stuffed, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. While seven in ten (72%) Canadians say they’ll have turkey for Christmas dinner, that’s down 3 points since last year and down 9 points since 2007.

Toronto, ON – The debate between using the word “Christmas” and a more inclusive reference to the “holidays” is becoming an annual tradition in Canada, but most Canadians appear to remain firm in their defence of the more traditional moniker, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Most (84%) Canadians believe that the current debt crisis in the Euro Zone will have an impact (25% a lot/59% somewhat) on Canada as a whole, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Just two in ten (16%) believe that he debt crisis won’t impact (2% not at all/14% not really) Canada as a whole.

Toronto, ON – Despite having a majority government in Ottawa, Canadians perceive that less is being accomplished on key government files this year than in the minority government situation of last year, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. In every area studied, with the exception of healthcare, fewer Canadians believe things were accomplished this year than last year.

Toronto, ON – An Ipsos Reid poll conducted for Postmedia News and Global Television released today indicates that while a majority (58%) of Canadians may see merit in the idea of having large trucks install side guards in order to prevent cyclists and pedestrians from getting trapped in the space between a truck's wheels if they are hit, an equal number (60%) think the cost of requiring trucks to install side guards is too much for truck drivers at a time when the economy is fragile.

Toronto, ON – Nearly half of current NDP and Liberal supporters would support the merger of their parties under the banner of one unified party to take on Harper and the Tories, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – With less than two days left before Ontario voters head to the polls, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Global News, CFRB NewsTalk 1010 and the Ottawa Citizen suggests that the Ontario Liberals are headed back into government at Queen’s Park with an assured minority and poised for a potential historic three-peat Majority.

Toronto, ON – A flash poll conducted on behalf of Global News among Ontario Election debate viewers immediately following the event has revealed that one in three (33%) think Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won the debate (down 1 point from the 34% who thought he would win in Ipsos Reid’s pre-debate poll), narrowly edging out NDP Leader Andrea Horwath (29%) who performed well above expectations (up 15 points from the 14% who thought she would win), and who appears to have had the biggest impact on viewers through her performance. Just one quarter (25%) say that Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak won the debate (up 1 point from the pre-debate poll).

Toronto, ON – Heading into the debate, Dalton McGuinty has the highest expectations to win the debate, according to a new Ipsos Reid flash poll conducted in the hours leading up to the debate. The poll, conducted exclusively for Global Television, reveals that one in three (34%) think Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty will win the debate, placing him ahead of his rivals Tim Hudak of the Progressive Conservatives (24%) and Andrea Horwath (14%) of the NDP. Three in ten (28%) are unsure of who will win the debate tonight.

Toronto, ON – Half (49%) of Ontarians say they’re at least somewhat likely (14% very likely/34% somewhat) to watch the leader’s debate tomorrow evening, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global Television, CFRB Newstalk 1010 and the Ottawa Citizen. The other half (51%) of Ontarians are ‘not likely’ (26% not at all/26% not very) to take in the verbal sparring airing at 6:30pm on Tuesday evening.

Toronto, ON – Amid the talk of completing a Tory trifecta – Stephen Harper as Prime Minister, Rob Ford as Mayor of Toronto, and Tim Hudak as Premier of Ontario – a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Global Television, CFRB Newstalk 1010 and the Ottawa Citizen has revealed that linking a vote for the PCs to the Ford Nation is hurting the Hudak campaign more than it’s helping.

Toronto, ON – Six in ten (62%) Ontarians ‘agree’ (6% strongly/56% somewhat) that ‘so far, the party leaders are talking about issues that are important’ to them, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll of 8,391 Ontarians conducted on behalf of Global Television, CFRB Newstalk 1010 and the Ottawa Citizen. Conversely, four in ten (38%) ‘disagree’ (7% strongly/32% somewhat), saying that the leaders aren’t talking about issues that are important to them.

Toronto, ON – Six in ten (62%) Torontonians ‘approve’ (15% strongly/46% somewhat) of the performance of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, down 8 points since April, according to an Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Global Television. In fact, the proportion of Torontonians who ‘strongly approve’ with his performance has plummeted 16 points to just 15%. Conversely, four in ten (38%) Torontonians ‘disapprove’ (20% strongly/18% somewhat) of his performance as mayor. So while a majority supports his performance, overall, more ‘strongly disapprove’ (20%) than ‘strongly approve’ (15%).

Toronto, ON – On the heels of yesterday’s horserace poll that revealed a dead heat between the Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives, a new Ipsos Reid poll of decided voters reveals that in the span of a month, Dalton McGuinty has convinced a plurality of voters that he is the man that would make the best Premier of Ontario, likely a function of the fact that nearly two thirds (63%) now believe the province is on the right track, an increase of 12 points since last month. Everything seems to be moving in the right direction for the Liberals, with momentum clearly on their side over the first week of the campaign.

Toronto, ON – Ten years after the 9/11, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television has revealed that most Canadians feel safe from potential terrorist attacks when flying, likely a result of the many security upgrades instituted in Canada, the United States and around the world in the aftermath of the infamous hijackings. While two in ten (18%) Canadians say they do not feel safe (5% not at all safe, 14% not very safe) from ‘a potential terrorist attack when flying’, most (82%) Canadians report feeling ‘safe’ (24% very/58% somewhat) when on a plane.

Toronto, ON – The terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, appear to have left a lasting impression on Canadians when it comes to their views of certain ethnicities and faiths, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Six in ten (58%) Canadians ‘agree’ (14% strongly/44% somewhat) that they are more concerned about a terrorist attack in Canada now than they were before the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Conversely, four in ten (42%) ‘disagree’ (11% strongly/31%) that they’re more concerned about a terrorist attack in Canada.

Toronto, ON – As the United States, Canada and the world begin to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks of 2001, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television has revealed that, with ten years hind-sight, a majority (57%) of Canadians ‘agree’ (16% strongly/41% somewhat) that ‘the terrorist attacks of 9/11 are the defining socio-political event’ of their lifetime.

Toronto, ON – With the early September deadline quickly approaching for cities to express their interest in bidding for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, a new poll has tested the waters and found that Ontario and Greater Toronto Area (‘GTA”) residents say they’re ready to pitch for the 2020 Summer Games to be hosted in the GTA.

Toronto, ON – With the writ dropping for the Ontario Election on September 7th and the official campaign for the fixed Election Day of October 6th nearly underway, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News, Global Television and CFRB Radio NewsTalk 1010 suggests that the gap between the two leading parties – and leaders – is closing, and that the campaign is shaping up to be a tight horserace that is still to be either won or lost.

Toronto, ON – As Ontario enters the dog days of summer, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News, Global Television and NewsTalk 1010 finds that Tim Hudak and his Progressive Conservatives (42%) are building on their lead over Dalton McGuinty and his Liberals (31%), but those gains are only outside of the GTA.

Toronto, ON – If Canadians had a crush on Wills and Kate prior to their arrival in Canada, they’ve now fallen head over heels for the royal couple, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. What a difference a little more than a week can make, when that week sees the most famous newlyweds in the world stealing the hearts of Canadians through their common touch and compassion.

Toronto, ON – As Canada prepares for the arrival of the first official foreign visit of their Royal Highnesses Princes William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television has revealed that the world’s most-famous newlyweds have given a big boost to the monarchy.

Toronto, ON – Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak appears to be resonating with voters as his party widens its lead over Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Global Television, Postmedia News and NewsTalk 1010. However, it’s still a competitive landscape with only six points between the two leading parties, and four months of campaigning still to go before Election Day.

Toronto, ON – On April 28, 2011, Ipsos Reid published its fourth and final poll of the Canadian Federal Election showing Stephen Harper's Conservatives at 38%, Jack Layton's New Democratic Party at 33%, Michael Ignatieff's Liberals at 18%, Elizabeth May and her Green Party at 4% and 7% for the Bloc, nationally.

Toronto, ON – Despite the recent surge of the NDP and Jack Layton, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party are poised to win Monday’s Federal Election, but voter turnout on Election Day will tell whether it will be a Tory minority or majority government.

Toronto, ON – More Canadians are using social media to engage in discussion about policy and politics than before the campaign started, according to a new Ipsos Reid study conducted for Postmedia News and Global Television. Three in ten Canadians (31%) say they have logged on to social networking sites or media news sites in order to discuss public policy and political issues at least once in the past week. These results, obtained during the fourth week of the campaign (April 18 through 20), represent a significant increase from the 21% who said they went online to discuss policy or politics at least once in the past week immediately before the onset of the campaign (March 22 through 24).

Toronto, ON – Canadians have changed their impressions of the federal leaders drastically in the last two weeks, and when compared to two years ago Layton has made significant gains, mostly at Michael Ignatieff’s expense.

Vancouver, BC – A new Ipsos Reid online poll in BC’s Lower Mainland (see methodology at end of factum for description of Lower Mainland region) shows the Conservatives ahead, but the NDP as the only party showing gains compared to the 2008 election result. Currently, the Conservatives have the support of 42% of decided and leaning voters in the Lower Mainland. The NDP are in second place at 29% support, followed by the Liberal Party at 23%. The Green Party is at 6%, while less than 1% support any other party. These results exclude the 7% of Lower Mainland residents who express no preference for any party.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll on Canada's Federal Election has captured the collapse of the Bloc vote in Quebec that has catapulted Jack Layton's NDP into first place there and second place nationally as the Liberals sink to third place. What this suggests is that with this new political landscape, Stephen Harper's Conservatives may well be headed for a solid majority government while the Ignatieff Liberals may not yet have hit bottom with just over a week to go.

Toronto, ON – Heading into the final quarter of the campaign, Michael Ignatieff and the Liberals have thrown a “Hail Mary” pass, touring with former Prime Minister Paul Martin and trumpeting the Liberal position on healthcare, saying that the Tories would dismantle the current system and ruin Canada’s coveted healthcare system.

Toronto, ON – A total of 57% of Canadian voters say they are ‘absolutely certain’ to turn out and vote in this current Federal election—almost identical to the actual turnout in the last Federal election (2008 was 58.8%)*—and with two weeks of campaigning left to go, it appears that the vast majority (84%) of them have locked in their vote, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global National in the days following the Federal Party Leaders English and French debates.

Toronto, ON – Immediately following the French-language leaders’ debate, a flash poll of Francophone debate viewers conducted by Ipsos Reid has found that Gilles Duceppe takes the night, while Stephen Harper stumbles.

Toronto, ON – In the hours leading up to the French-language leaders’ debate, a new Ipsos Reid flash poll conducted from noon until 6pm ET has revealed that Jack Layton has great opportunities in Quebec for his party, pending a solid performance in tonight’s debate. Following his performance in the English-leader’s debate, which gave a majority (55%) of polled viewers an improved impression of Jack Layton coming out of the debate, Francophones appear to have high expectations for Mr. Layton in tonight’s melee.

Toronto, ON – Immediately following the English-language leaders’ debate, a flash poll of debate viewers conducted by Ipsos Reid has found that four in ten (42%) English-speaking viewers say Conservative Leader Stephen Harper won the debate, up from the 34% of Canadians who, prior to the debate, thought he would win.

Toronto, ON – In the hours leading up to the debate, a flash poll of 1,861 English-speaking Canadians conducted by Ipsos Reid exclusively for Global National has revealed that one in three (33%) English-speaking Canadians believes that Stephen Harper will win the English-language debate tonight. Fewer believe that Michael Ignatieff (24%), Jack Layton (13%) or Gilles Duceppe (2%) will win. The winner’s circle is still up for grabs, however, with three in ten (28%) Canadians unsure of who will win the debate.

Toronto, ON - There has been very little change in support for the major party leaders throughout the first two weeks of the campaign and the party leaders are now turning their efforts to the Leader’s Debates to break through the political stalemate. The debate is particularly crucial for Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, who will have the opportunity to showcase himself to Canadians in an effort to improve upon his personal leadership numbers, which are likely holding his party back in the polls.

Toronto, ON – Heading into the federal election, many in the media had predicted that this campaign would be the first social media campaign in Canadian political history with Facebook, Twitter and specific news web sites or blogs fuelling a revolution in potential voter social engagement during and for the 2011 Federal election.

Toronto, ON – After nearly two full weeks of the official election campaign, Canadians have weighed in and have graded the campaigns of the four major political parties so far. The grades assigned by Canadians were based on the following scale: A – their campaign is looking great, B – their campaign is looking good, C – their campaign could use some work, D – their campaign is looking bad, and F – their campaign has fallen off the tracks and looks horrible.

Toronto, ON – The latest Ipsos Reid poll conducted during the second week of the Federal election for Global Television and Postmedia News indicates that if the election were held tomorrow the Conservatives under Prime Minister Stephen Harper would receive 41% of the vote among decided voters (down 2 points from two weeks ago). The Liberal Party led by Michael Ignatieff would receive 26% (up 2 points), the NDP led by Jack Layton would receive 19% (up 3 points), and the Green Party led by Elizabeth may would garner just 4% (down 1 point).

Vancouver, BC – A new Ipsos Reid online poll shows that the provincial NDP leadership race, which wraps up on April 17th, has failed to capture the attention of British Columbians. The poll also shows Mike Farnworth staying well ahead of the other candidates in public opinion, but still slightly behind Christy Clark as British Columbians’ choice as to who would make the better Premier.

Toronto, ON – The country is split on whether they support or oppose the idea of a coalition government, though a majority (54%) would prefer to see a Liberal-NDP coalition government rather than a Conservative majority government (46%), according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Global National and Postmedia News.

Toronto, ON – Earth hour participation rates are continuing to decline, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News. Asked whether they participated in Earth Hour on Saturday at 8:30pm local time by turning off the lights in their home or place of business for one hour, 36% of Canadians said they turned their lights off, while 8% didn’t turn off their lights but participated in another way. In total, 44% of Canadians participated in Earth Hour in some way, shape or form, down 3 points from last year and down 16 points from 2009. Nearly one in ten (7%) have never heard of this event (unchanged).

Toronto, ON – Amid an historic moment in Canada that saw the fall of the Government on a vote of non-confidence by the opposition parties, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global National has revealed that, heading into Canada’s fourth General Election in seven years, one half (49%, up 1 point since early February) of Canadians believe that Stephen Harper would make the best Prime Minister of Canada. In second position is NDP leader Jack Layton (34%, down 1 point) who has garnered twice as many votes as Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff (17%, up 1 point).

Toronto, ON – Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has delivered a budget that the opposition parties say they won’t support but that the public sees as benign. A series of non-confidence votes on the budget and ethical problems dogging the government are scheduled to be held before the week it out. An election seems inevitable at this point, but a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on the heels of the budget has found that the Prime Minister and his Conservatives are in an enviable position heading into what will likely be a campaign beginning this weekend.

Vancouver, BC – A new Ipsos Reid poll, taken in the week following Japan’s devastating earthquake, shows that few Metro Vancouver residents are confident about our own level of earthquake preparedness. Only one-quarter (26%) of residents believe their own household is adequately prepared for a significant earthquake and aftershocks. Even fewer residents (14%) believe their local municipality is adequately prepared to respond to a significant earthquake and aftershocks.

Toronto, ON – As Jim Flaherty puts the finishing touches on the make-it-or-break-it budget which will be delivered in the House of Commons on Tuesday, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television has tested two potential competing campaign narratives that appear to have emerged from the election rhetoric spinning around Parliament Hill.

Toronto, On - The infographic below was published by the National Post on March 18, 2011. Using data gathered by Ipsos Reid, the Post’s Kathryn Blaze Carlson examines the tracking of federal elections from 1993 to 2008. Please click on the infographic below to increase the image size or click here to be directed to the National Post’s site for more information.

Toronto, ON – Awareness of the Conservative “in-and-out” scheme is relatively low. In fact, three quarters (74%) of Canadians have either not heard of the issue or if they have it's not a big deal to them, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Next week Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will release the Federal budget, and speculation that the government might fall is growing. Three MPs – including senior cabinet ministers Stockwell Day and Chuck Strahl – have just announced they will not seek re-election, suggesting that the Tories are clearing the decks to fight an election. The Conservatives are also coming under fire over a number of ethical issues that could collectively constitute an election agenda for the opposition parties.

Toronto, ON – Tory attack ads against Michael Ignatieff, Conservative commercials extolling the virtues of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, positive economic reports and the threat of an imminent election appear to have the Tories knocking on a majority’s door, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global National.

Toronto, ON – The events in Egypt over the last month which saw mass protests and a mostly-peaceful public uprising force out the regime of President Hosni Mubarak appear to be having a dramatic effect on nearby countries. Citizens of many countries, including Libya, Iran, Tunisia, Bahrain, are taking to the streets to protest their governments in a pro-democracy movement that is rippling through northern Africa and the Middle East.

Toronto, ON – Law and order has been a key plank in the federal government’s platform since being elected in 2006. As part of its initiative go get tough on crime, the government has introduced legislation that would increase minimum sentences and ultimately increase the amount of time inmates would spend in prison. This will require prison expansion and extra costs while the inmates remain in jail. The government says the extra costs will be about two-billion dollars, but others, such as the parliamentary budget officer and the opposition parties, say the costs will be higher.

Vancouver, BC – A new Ipsos Reid online poll shows that Mike Farnworth continues to be the most positively viewed NDP leadership contender among British Columbians. The poll also shows declining public interest in the race.

Vancouver, BC– With less than a week to go before BC Liberal party members choose a new leader and Premier, a new Ipsos Reid online poll shows that overall public impressions of Christy Clark have slipped somewhat in the last month. Nevertheless, Clark remains a clear favourite to lead the party among past Liberal voters. The poll also shows that George Abbott has improved his standing among past NDP voters.

Toronto, ON – With the NHL’s biggest star, Sidney Crosby, on the sidelines from a concussion, and Mario Lemieux, a retired hockey great and current owner, entering the faceoff circle about violence in the NHL and the current rules governing the conduct of players while on the ice, a new Ipsos Reid poll has asked this great nation of hockey lovers what they think about violence in hockey and what should be done, if anything, to deal with it.

Toronto, ON – Last week Prime Minister Stephen Harper met with U.S President Barack Obama to announce that the two countries would be negotiating a new perimeter security agreement for the purpose of heightening security and easing the flow of goods and people across the Canada-U.S. Border. But on the heels of this announcement, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global National reveals that two in three (68%) Canadians ‘agree’ (22% strongly/46% somewhat) that ‘Canada will compromise too much power over decisions about immigration, privacy and security to get a perimeter security agreement’ with the United States. One in three (32%) ‘disagree’ (7% strongly/25% somewhat) with this sentiment.

Toronto, ON – Despite the antics and pre-election rhetoric occurring outside the House of Commons, the return to Parliament this month has been relatively sedate and uneventful. Perhaps it’s the calm before the storm next month which will see the Government face off against the opposition parties over the budget. In the context of relative calm at home juxtaposed against protest, strife and revolution overseas, a new Ipsos Reid poll has revealed that Harper’s Tories have widened their lead over Ignatieff and the Grits.

Vancouver, BC – As the anniversary of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games draws near, results from a recent Ipsos Reid online poll show that majority of British Columbians believe that the Games were an overwhelming success, and that hosting the Games was worthwhile.

Toronto, ON – With Canada’s federal opposition parties throwing down the gauntlet ahead of the March budget which could see the government fall if it doesn’t convince at least one other party to lend its support, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television has revealed that Canadian voting intentions have returned to very familiar ground. With most Canadians not wanting to go to the polls and attack ads filling the airways, support for Canada’s two leading parties has returned to previous levels that have remained virtually stagnant throughout 2010.

Toronto, ON – Just two in ten (18%) believe that the Senate should be left alone and should be kept as is as an appointed body, up1 point from 2007, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global National.

Toronto, ON – Many in Britain argue that the rules of succession to the British monarchy – which is Canada’s monarchy too – should change. The current rule says that the monarch is succeeded first in line by his or her sons in order of age, even if the monarch has a daughter who is older than his or her sons. Some in Britain argue that daughters should have equal rights to ascend the throne – that is, if the monarch’s first-born child is a girl, she should be first-in-line for the throne.

Toronto, ON – Current polling numbers suggest that if Canadians go to the polls this spring, there’s a good chance that not much would change afterwards, and that Canada would still be facing a minority government situation. A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television has revealed that if the Conservatives have the most seats following the next election, Canadians would prefer a Conservative minority government to a ruling accord of the opposition parties.

Toronto, ON – Canadians have put some of their political leaders on notice, saying that if they don’t perform well in the next election they should quit as Leader of their party, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Election rhetoric is building to a fever pitch, but most Canadians don’t appear to be too excited with the prospect of an election, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Vancouver, BC – With the governing BC Liberals and opposition New Democrats both choosing a new party leader in the next few months, there has been some public discussion of when the next provincial election should be held. A new Ipsos Reid online poll shows that British Columbians are split about whether the next provincial election should be held on the fixed election date of May 14, 2013, or in 2011 after the BC Liberals and NDP have chosen their new leaders.

Toronto, ON – As the count of Ontario's governing party Liberal MPPs choosing not to seek re-election in the October 2011 election reaches nine, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television has revealed that the Progressive Conservatives are holding a tenuous lead with the McGuinty Liberals closing a previously significant nine-point lead that had opened for the Opposition Hudak Tories in November of 2010 to just a three-point lead now.

Toronto, ON – Canadians are mixed on the believability of health claims made on food product labels, according to a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Global National. Only a slim majority (53%) of Canadians ‘agree’ (5% strongly/48% somewhat) that they ‘believe the health claims made on food labels’. Conversely, nearly one half (47%) ‘disagree’ (9% srongly/39% somewhat) that they believe health claims made on food labels.

Toronto, ON – A new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of PostMedia News has revealed the degree to which Canadians trust people working in a wide range of professions. The data reveals that pharmacists (79%), doctors (75%), airline pilots (75%) and Canadian soldiers (72%) are the most trusted professions, rated as a 5, 6 or 7 on a seven-point scale. At the bottom of the list are car salespeople (8%), national politicians (9%), union leaders (17%), and local municipal politicians (17%).

Toronto, ON – Canadians – and especially those over the age of 55 – appear to have a positive assessment of where they are in life, both compared to their own expectations and when compared against where their parents were at the same age as them, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Heading into 2011, a year which could see a federal election, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television has uncovered the issues that Canadians believe should receive the greatest attention from Canada’s leaders.

Toronto, ON – In a year that ranged from triumph to tragedy, a new Ipsos Reid poll has uncovered what Canadian believe to be the top news stories of 2010. Among a list of twelve options, one in three (32%) Canadians believe that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is the top news story of 2010, placing it well ahead of other notable stories of the year. The oil leak, which took 154 days to cap and several failed attempts threatened wildlife along the Gulf coast for a stretch of approximately 120 miles.

Toronto, ON – Reflecting back on the year 2010, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global National has named former Canadian Forces Colonel Russell Williams as Top Newsmaker of the Year.

Toronto, ON – Is that a “Holiday Tree” or a “Christmas Tree” in front of City Hall? Canadians have weighed in on the debate, and a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television has revealed that most Canadians believe the name for the season should be: Christmas.

Toronto, ON – An equal proportion of Canadians say they were impacted by the slow economic recovery in 2010 as were impacted by the economic recession in 2009, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television. These data suggest that Canadians are still feeling the impact of the recession that began roughly two years ago, and the official end of the recession hasn’t made much difference to its impact on the average Canadian.

Toronto, ON – Over the past two years the government has reiterated that its primary focus has been to strengthen the economy by getting Canadians back to work. A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television has revealed that while a majority (63%) of Canadians believe the government has been getting things done on the jobs file, overall the reviews are mixed on many of the other files the government has been managing.

Toronto, ON – With Ipsos Reid’s latest political horserace poll showing a ten-point lead for the federal Conservatives, speculation for a spring election is building. But a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television has revealed that four in ten (42%) Canadians believe that ‘the Conservative Party under Stephen Harper has done a good job and deserves re-election’. While this is not a majority of Canadians, under Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system, this proportion is likely large enough to give the Harper Conservatives another minority victory at the polls. In contrast, six in ten (58%) Canadians more closely believe that ‘the Conservative party does not deserve to be re-elected and its time for another federal party to be given a chance to govern the country’.

Vancouver, BC – On the day that Christy Clark announces that she will enter the race for the BC Liberal leadership, a new Ipsos Reid poll (conducted before the announcement) shows she has an advantage in public opinion over her leadership rivals. She is the only one of the five declared candidates with more positive than negative impressions.

Vancouver, BC – Following Carole James’ announcement that she will step down as NDP leader, Ipsos Reid completed an online poll to gauge British Columbians’ impressions of 17 possible leadership contenders. The results show that only 3 of these 17 possible contenders generate more positive than negative impressions.

Toronto, ON – Canadians have given their blessing to the pending nuptials between Prince William and Kate Middleton in a very profound way, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television. On the heels of the announcement of the royal wedding, which will be held on April 29 at Westminster Abbey, a majority (55%) of Canadians now believe that ‘Prince Charles should skip his place in line for the throne as King and instead pass the reign of King on to his son Prince William’, a significant increase of 12 points over one year ago prior to the visit of Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, to Canada.

Toronto, ON – Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals are continuing their decline in the polls, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. In a little over a year, the Liberals have squandered a 14-point lead over the Tories, and now trail them by 9 points.

Toronto, ON – As Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Defence Minister Peter MacKay meet with their NATO counterparts to discuss the future of Allied efforts in Afghanistan, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television shows that a majority (53%) of Canadians back the decision to have some Canadian Forces remain in Afghanistan strictly to train soldiers until 2014 but it comes with a caveat: a bigger majority (61%) believe that “there should be a vote in Parliament to determine whether Canadian Forces should stay in Afghanistan past 2011, even if it is for a training mission” thus echoing the demand of NDP Leader Jack Layton to do so.

Toronto, ON – In January of 2006, the Conservatives swept into the halls of power with 36% of the popular vote compared to 30% of the vote for the Liberal Party. Over the past nearly five years we’ve run a long distance but have stayed in one spot as a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television reveals that the two leading parties are back where they started.

Vancouver, BC – A new Ipsos Reid online poll taken in the wake of Gordon Campbell’s surprise resignation shows that only three of the rumoured leadership contenders have a strong image with British Columbians. Of the 14 contenders tested in this poll, only Dianne Watts, Carole Taylor and John Furlong generate more positive than negative impressions.

Toronto, ON – Canadians are dead split on the best direction for Canada in the years ahead, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Two competing narratives, one focused on fiscal restraint and the other focused on investing in social programs, have split the country down the middle.

Toronto, ON – Prime Minister Stephen Harper is continuing to convince Canadians that he’s the best man for his current job, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television. Four in ten (43%) Canadians believe that, among the major party leaders, Stephen Harper would make the best Prime Minister of Canada, down three points from February of this year.

Toronto, ON – Canadians are evenly split on whether Omar Khadr should serve at least part of his sentence in Canada, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television. While one half (49%) of Canadians believe that Khadr should serve ‘none’ of his time in Canada, the other half (51%) of Canadians believe he should be able to serve ‘all’ (25%) or at least ‘some’ (26%) of his sentence in Canada.

Toronto, ON – Despite a series of shakeups which saw new councils and mayors catapulted to the reigns of power in City Halls across the country, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Postmedia News and Global Television has revealed that most Canadians aren’t expecting much to change as a result of their local municipal election.

Calgary, AB – With only six days left until Calgary’s municipal election, a new Ipsos Reid / Global News Calgary/QR77 telephone poll shows that Municipal Spending continues to be the top issue determining who residents will vote into the Mayor’s office.

Calgary, AB – With only a week left until Election Day, both front-running candidates are in a dead heat for first place among decided voters. A new Ipsos Reid / Global News Calgary/QR77 telephone poll finds that there is a statistical tie between frontrunners Barb Higgins (37%) and Ric McIver (34%) among decided voters. Naheed Nenshi is the only other contender in the race 21%. No other Mayoral Candidate has more than 3% of decided Calgary voters. It should be noted that these results exclude the 19% of Calgary voters who are undecided or express no preference.

Calgary, AB – With the municipal election ten days away, Calgarians are saying that it’s time for a shake-up on City Council. A new Ipsos Reid / Global News Calgary/ QR770 telephone poll finds that seven-in-ten (70%) Calgarians believe “it’s time for a major change” on City Council. Only two-in-ten (21%) believe that Calgary’s City Council “deserves to be re-elected”, while one-in-ten (9%) are undecided.

Toronto, ON – Canada’s political parties have all claimed to espouse family values in their party platforms but according to a new poll by Ipsos Reid conducted on behalf of Postmedia News, when Canadians were asked to determine which of the main federal political parties is most in tune with the needs and values of modern-day families, one in three (35%) Canadians believe that the Conservative Party led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper fits that bill.

Toronto, ON – Canadians, on average, say that having 2.4 kids is the ideal number of children to have in their family, including 7% of those who say having no children is ideal according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News. Interestingly, just two in ten (19%) Canadians who currently don’t have kids say that having no kids is ideal, suggesting that eight in ten (81%) Canadians who currently don’t have children would have some, in an ideal situation. Canadians who did not have children felt that 1.9 kids would be an ideal number whereas those Canadians who already had children expressed that 2.6 kids was ideal.

Toronto, ON – Despite the Harper government’s ill-fated attempt to shoot down the Federal ‘long-gun registry’, a new poll conducted for Postmedia/Global Television by Ipsos Reid indicates that two thirds (66%) of Canadians personally support the gun-registry which requires all owners of long-barrelled guns to register their firearms on a national database. One third (34%) of Canadians are opposed to the registry.

Toronto, ON – One of the other facts of life is that sometimes children come back to the nest after leaving, for one reason or another, but Canadians have mixed feelings on this practice. A new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of PostMedia News revealed that while two in ten (21%) Canadians, overall, think it’s ‘perfectly fine for grown adult children to return home’, most (71%) think that ‘grown adult children should only return home if their circumstances absolutely require them to’. Just one in ten (8%) believe that they ‘don’t think grown adult children should return home to live with their parents under any circumstance’.

Toronto, ON– Nearly one half (44%) of Canadians believe that the family is more important (34% much more/10% slightly more) than it was fifty years ago, outweighing the 38% who thinks it’s less important (27% much less/11% slightly less), according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News. Two in ten (18%) believe the family is no more or less important than two generations ago. Interestingly, Canadians who are currently in a common-law relationship are most likely (49%) to believe the role of the importance of the family has been elevated in the last two generations.

Toronto, ON – With a month to go in the race for the mayor’s chair of Canada’s largest city, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global Television has revealed that the campaign is shaping up to be a horserace.

Toronto, ON – As Parliament prepares to resume next week, the Conservatives appear to be holding on to their tenuous lead, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. On a national level, the poll shows that very little has changed since Ipsos Reid’s last poll conducted one month ago.

Toronto, ON – Torontonians appear to have a lot of issues they want the candidates for Mayor to tackle but when the issues are categorized there’s one that clearly stands out beyond the others according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global Television, NewsTalk 1010 and the National Post.

Toronto, ON – A new poll conducted for Global Television, NewsTalk 1010 and the National Post reveals that the race for mayor might be drastically different if current incumbent David Miller were in the race, as four in ten (39%) Torontonians ‘agree’ (18% strongly/22% somewhat) that they would ‘rather vote for outgoing Mayor David Miller than any of the candidates running to replace him’. Conversely, six in ten (58%) would likely vote for some other candidate even if Miller were in the race, ‘disagreeing’ (42% strongly/16% somewhat) that they would rather vote for Miller.

Toronto, ON – Despite the campaign troubles for mayoral-candidate Rob Ford in light of his controversial comments about immigration and recent revelations of charges laid against him in Florida regarding impaired driving and possession of marijuana (the latter charges were subsequently dropped), a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global Television, NewsTalk 1010 and the National Post reveals that if a municipal election were held tomorrow, Rob Ford would be elected Mayor of Toronto.

Toronto, ON – For the first time since McGuinty’s Liberals were re-elected in 2007, the Ontario Progressive Conservatives have overtaken them in the polls, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for the National Post, Global Television and NewsTalk 1010 Radio.

Toronto, ON – Provincial governments across the country are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of healthcare, and while Canadians likely want to continue to see improvements to the access and quality of care, they are also likely loathe to increases in the level of taxation they pay.

Toronto, ON – Canadians are increasingly assigning no worth to the penny, with more Canadians now than four years ago saying there is no sense for the 1-cent piece, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canada.com. Fully six in ten (60%) Canadians ‘support’ (31% strongly/29% somewhat) ‘abolishing the one-cent piece, the penny’, up 4 points from 2008. Conversely, four in ten (40%) Canadians ‘oppose’ (19% strongly/21% somewhat) abolishing the one-cent piece, down 4 points over the last two years.

Toronto, ON – As the saying goes, you are what you eat, and so it seems logical that one must trust that the food they consume is safe. However, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News has revealed that eight in ten (77%) Canadians are ‘concerned’ (34% very/44% somewhat) with the safety of the food that they eat’ – an increase of 11 points in three years. Conversely, just one quarter (23%) of Canadian say they’re ‘not concerned’ (3% not at all/19% not really) with the safety of the food they eat, a decrease of 11 points.

Toronto, ON – Through his cross-country tour and summer barbecues, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff appears to be turning his bus around, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Postmedia News and Global Television. Following a slide in the polls that began roughly one year go, the Liberal Party of Canada now enjoys increasing support for the second consecutive month.

Toronto, ON – The RCMP are once again in turmoil, with senior officials in the RCMP speaking out against civilian Commissioner William Elliott’s leadership, but a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canada.com has revealed that a majority of Canadians continue to believe that the Prime Minister was right to appoint a civilian commissioner to clean up and reform the RCMP, however the country is more evenly divided on whether he should keep his job or be replaced in light of the allegations against him.

Toronto, ON – During a recent meeting between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and foreign ministers from around a world, a new unofficial end date for the Afghan War was set for three years down the road, meaning that the Afghan government will not assume all of the security responsibilities for the country until 2014. While some countries will begin pulling their troops from Afghanistan as early as this year and others will stay for the duration, Canada’s current combat mission is set to end in 2011.

Toronto, ON – What could be better than a week of relaxing at the cottage during the summer with perfect weather? A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canada.com reveals that if they could spend a week at a cottage this summer, most Canadians would choose to leave something behind at home, likely in an effort to make that week even better.

Toronto, ON – As the country is caught up in a heated debate about the merits and demerits of the recent decision by the Federal Government to scrap the mandatory long-form census in favour of a voluntary version that would go out to more households, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canada.com has revealed that the country is evenly split on whether the move is a ‘good’ (49%) or ‘bad’ (51%) decision.

Toronto, ON – The hot summer weather means that a lot of Canadians will be heading on to Canada’s oceans, lakes and rivers to cool off. But a new Ipsos Reid poll reveals that many Canadians are not taking seriously their own safety as four in ten (37%) admit that they don’t always wear a life jacket when on a boat in the water.

Toronto, ON – Marking the twentieth anniversary of the Oka crisis, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canada.com has revealed that a majority (57%) of Canadians don’t believe that the quality of life for aboriginals in Canada has been improving.

Toronto, ON – Parliament has recessed for the summer and the country is beginning to wind down after the tremendous excitement caused by the G-20 Summit, the royal visit and Canada Day. However, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canwest News service and Global National has revealed that, despite all of this excitement, national vote intentions have remained relatively flat over the last month.

Toronto, ON – Canada’s favourite summer food is not so much a specific item, but a method of preparation, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canada.com. The poll revealed that four in ten (37%) Canadians say their favourite summer food is anything – so long as it is cooked on the barbecue.

Toronto, ON – The G20 Summit in Toronto saw the largest mass arrests in Canadian history and the courts are in the midst of dealing with all of the cases, but a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global Television and NewsTalk 1010 reveals that three quarters (74%) of Canadians and GTA residents (75%) ‘agree’ that ‘members of the violent protest gang Black Bloc should be charged under Canada’s terrorist laws and not the regular criminal code’. Conversely, one quarter (26%) of Canadians and GTA residents (25%) ‘disagree’ that members of the Black Bloc should be charged under terrorism laws and not the regular criminal code.

Toronto, ON – In light of the massive security effort surrounding the G-20 summit in Toronto, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canada.com has revealed that two thirds (65%) of Canadians ‘agree’ (13% strongly/51% somewhat) that ‘hosting the G-20 Summit and the security involved has prepared Toronto for hosting the Pan-Am games’. Conversely, one third (35%) of Canadians ‘disagree’ (11% strongly/25% somewhat) that hosting the summit has prepared Toronto for hosting the Pan-Am Games.

Toronto, ON – In the aftermath of the G-20 Summit held in Toronto, which saw police
arrest
more than 1,000 people, retail shops smashed and looted and violent clashes with police, a new Ipsos Reid
poll
conducted on behalf of Global Television, CFRB Radio and Canwest News Service reveals that a majority
(62%)
of Canadians – and 70% of those living in the Greater Toronto Area – ‘agree’ that ‘it was a mistake to hold the
G-
20 in Toronto’. However, despite security costs and the damage caused by violent protesters, four in ten (38%)
Canadians and three in ten (30%) GTA residents ‘disagree’ that it was a mistake to host the G-20 in Toronto.

Toronto, ON – Canadians are in the midst of enjoying the Canada Day long weekend, and as the weather is heating up in many parts of the country, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canada.com reveals Canadians’ tricks to beat the heat.

Toronto, ON – The final touches are being placed on Canada Day celebrations across the country, and the biggest party of them all – on Parliament Hill – is preparing for the arrival of Her Majesty the Queen. But a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canada.com reveals that Canadians generally prefer a low-key Canada Day to one that is more packed with adventure or travel.

Ottawa, ON – In a head-to-head mayoral race between Jim Watson and Alex Cullen, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for the Ottawa Citizen has revealed that Watson would best Cullen by a significant margin. In a showdown, the poll suggests that mayoral candidate Jim Watson would receive support from 56% of Ottawa residents compared to just 16% of residents who would vote for Alex Cullen. One in ten (9%) residents say they would vote for some other candidate who surfaced, while two in ten (19%) don’t know who they would support in a head-to-head race.

Toronto, Canada—A new Ipsos/canada.com poll released today shows that as the world’s G-20 leaders gather in Toronto, Canada for their meeting, a global majority of consumer/citizens believe that, overall, globalization and expanded trade are good, and that investment by foreign companies is essential for growth and expansion. In fact only 39% say their government should restrict investment by foreign companies in their country even if it means fewer jobs will be created.

Ottawa, ON – A majority (63%) of Ottawa residents ‘support’ (34% strongly/29% somewhat) the Lansdowne Park redevelopment project, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Ottawa Citizen. Conversely, one in three (32%) Ottawa residents ‘oppose’ (19% strongly/13% somewhat) the proposal, which includes a refurbishment of Frank Clair Stadium and retail and residential development, while 5% are undecided on the matter.

Toronto, Canada—A new Ipsos/canada.com poll released today shows that as the world’s G-20 leaders gather in Toronto, Canada for their meeting, most leave behind majorities of consumer/citizens who believe things in their country are on the wrong track and are dissatisfied with how things are going in their country today.

Toronto, ON – Summer has officially arrived and school-kids across the country are eager to flee the confines of the classroom. A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canada.com has discovered what kids will be up to over the next two months as their parents try to keep their child engaged in activities that are safe and fun.

Ottawa, ON – A majority (63%) of Ottawa residents ‘support’ (34% strongly/29% somewhat) the Lansdowne Park redevelopment project, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Ottawa Citizen. Conversely, one in three (32%) Ottawa residents ‘oppose’ (19% strongly/13% somewhat) the proposal, which includes a refurbishment of Frank Clair Stadium and retail and residential development, while 5% are undecided on the matter.

Toronto, Canada—A new Ipsos/canada.com poll released today shows that as the world’s G-20 leaders gather in Toronto, Canada for their meeting, they’ll do so in the shadow of a mostly stagnant global consumer/citizen assessment of their national economies.

Toronto, ON – As many of the world’s most powerful leaders gather in Muskoka to discuss issues of international importance, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canada.com has revealed that Canada’s current position on not funding abortions as part of the maternal-health initiative is only supported by a minority of Canadians.

Toronto, ON – On July 1st, the widely unpopular HST will come into effect in Ontario despite cries from opposition parties and Ontarians alike that this tax will end up costing the average tax payer instead of being revenue neutral. In an effort to at least partially compensate Ontarians for the tax increase, the Ontario government has begun mailing out cheques to Ontario families, which could be helping the government stay on the top of polls.

Toronto, ON – In a fast-pace world of modernity, Canadians appear to be yearning for music of the past, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canada.com. The poll has found that if Canadians could see one concert tour this summer, 16% would choose the 60s classic rock of Simon and Garfunkle, while 15% would opt for the big-band crooner-style singing of international sensation Michael Bublé.

Toronto, ON – As Canada continues to prepare for the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II, Canada’s sovereign and head of state, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canada.com has revealed a growing sentiment that Elizabeth II should be Canada’s last monarch.

Toronto, ON – Parliament Hill has been abuzz with talk of a merger between the Liberals and the NDP. Since the coalition government in the United Kingdom came to power, there has been a lot of media coverage surrounding the possibility of a merger, whether it be through a formal merger, a coalition in parliament, or an election agreement whereby the two parties would not run candidates in the same riding. Although both Michael Ignatieff and Jack Layton have denied that talks have taken place, party insiders continue to insist that some sort of alliance is a possibility.

Toronto, ON – Despite the hype that’s been building around the arrival of many summer Hollywood blockbusters, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canada.com has revealed that most (59%) Canadians appear to think the offerings are actually quite lacklustre.

Toronto, ON – Toronto will be the focus of the world later this month, as leaders from the G-20 converge on the city to discuss matters of international importance – most notably the economy. A gathering of the world’s most influential leaders comprising 85% of the world’s GNP and 80% of the world’s population poses a serious security challenge for the host country, and it is estimated that the cost to Canada for security for the preceding G-8 meeting in Northern Ontario and then the full meeting of the G-20 and their delegations will be close to one billion dollars.

Toronto, ON – While Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty recently said the sanctioning of
Mixed Martial Arts in Ontario is not a priority for his government, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of
Canwest News Service and Global National reveals that most Ontarians don’t have a problem with it and a
majority say the Premier should move ahead with it anyway.

Vancouver, BC — According to an Ipsos survey of more than 24,000 Internet users in 23 countries provided exclusively to Canada.com, the majority (68%) of adults with access to the Internet indicate they spend more time during the week on the Internet than watching TV, suggesting that television is slowly losing its grip as the world's most dominant medium.

Ottawa, ON— A new Canada.com News poll conducted by Ipsos and released today indicates that almost two-thirds (62%) of adults surveyed in 23 countries (representing 75% of the worlds GDP) has a belief that "there will be a cure for cancer in my lifetime". This compares with 38% disagree that there will be a cure for cancer in their lifetime.

Toronto, ON – As negotiations between the governing Conservatives and opposition parties continue in an effort to determine how sensitive Afghan detainee issue documents can be shared with Parliament without jeopardizing national security, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television reveals that a majority (61%) of Canadians believe that enemy combatants taken into custody by Canadian soldiers and then handed over to Afghanistan prison authorities have been tortured. Just one quarter (23%) believe that detainees transferred to Afghan authorities were not tortured, while 16% don’t know whether torture occurred or not.

Toronto, ON – House Speaker Peter Milliken made history last week in a ruling which upholds the notion of Parliamentary Supremacy, meaning that Parliament has an unqualified right to any and all government documents it wishes to see, whether they be classified by the government or not. However, understanding the Government’s desire to protect national security, the Speaker has given the Government and opposition parties two weeks to reach a deal that would ensure access to these documents by certain members of Parliament while still protecting the national interests and security of the country.

Toronto, ON – The scandal surrounding former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer and the fallout which cost his wife, Helena Guergis, her job in cabinet and resulted in her expulsion from the Conservative caucus appears to have had little impact on voters in Canada. Amid Parliamentary Committee hearings and growing accusations that Jaffer was allegedly attempting to sell government access, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National has revealed that little has changed with national-voting intentions since two weeks ago, before the most serious allegations were brought forward and before the resignation of Ms. Guergis.

Toronto, ON – An astonishing one in ten (8% of Canadians, 7% of Roman Catholics) Canadians aged 18 or older, representing roughly 2 million adults, indicate that they are personally aware of someone among their family, friends or acquaintances who has been sexually assaulted by a Roman Catholic priest, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – Following the Canada 150 thinker’s conference in Montreal, the Liberal Party has received no bounce in vote support, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National. The policy-revitalization conference, which concluded that a priority must be placed on healthcare, training and education, has failed to recruit a greater number of Canadian voters to the Liberal ranks.

Toronto, ON – As Tiger Woods returns to the golf circuit from seclusion and his stint in sex rehab as a result of admitting to multiple affairs over the past number of years, a new Ipsos Reid poll finds that most Canadians believe that "what's done is done" and that he deserves to get on with his life.

Toronto, ON – Fewer Canadians participated in Earth Hour this year than last year, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television. Fewer than half (47%) of Canadians say they participated in Earth Hour, either by turning out their lights for an hour at 8:30pm last Saturday evening (39%) or by contributing in another way (8%). By comparison, six in ten (60%) Canadians participated last year, either by turning out their lights (51%) or in some other fashion (9%).

Toronto, ON – Canadians remain generally unmoved in the their post Olympic-Games voting preference following the recent Throne Speech and budget, according to new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf Canwest News Service and Global National.

Toronto, ON – As Canada’s political leaders gather in Ottawa for a new session of Parliament, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed that Canadians continue to believe that the economy should be tops on the agenda of politicians, with four in ten (36%) indicating, unaided, that this is the issue that should receive the greatest attention from Canada’s leaders. This is slightly less than the 41% of Canadians who thought the same in November of last year, and well down from the 63% of Canadians who thought the economy should be the focus of our politicians back in March of 2009, the darkest days of the recession.

Toronto, ON – The Vancouver 2010 Games have given Olympians and Canadians alike the gift of a renewed sense of pride and patriotism, but they also have imparted on Stephen Harper a gift of his own – a diversion from the heat placed on him over the detainee issue and his subsequent decision to prorogue parliament. This diversion of attention has resulted in a boost in the polls for the reigning Conservatives, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – The swift and decisive action of the Canadian Government following the devastating earthquake that left Haiti in ruins has likely helped Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservatives maintain a lead, albeit a tenuous one, over Michael Ignatieff and the charging Liberals, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National.

Toronto, ON – Ontario’s McGuinty Liberals will start 2010 off seven (7) points behind where they started (45%) in 2009: 38% of voters would choose the provincial Liberal’s compared to the Progressive Conservatives under new leader Tim Hudak at 34%, down 2 points since October but up 5 since January 2009, according to an Ipsos Reid poll conducted in December on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – The country is split on whether Canadian officials knowingly transferred prisoners to Afghanistan forces who may have inflicted torture, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National.

Toronto, ON – On July 1, 2010, the provincial governments of Ontario and British Columbia are planning to combine their respective provincial sales taxes (PST) with the federal goods and services tax (GST) to create a single, harmonized sales (HST). But according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National, a vast majority of British Columbians (82%) and Ontarians (74%) oppose their provincial government’s plans to harmonize the sales tax.

Toronto, ON – After taking repeated hits from the right flank by the Harper Conservatives, it now appears that the NDP are moving in to attack Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals on the left flank, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television. In a political pincer attack, the NDP have charged ahead to 19% support nationally while the Liberals have retreated to 24% support, a new low for the Grits under Michael Ignatieff.

Toronto, ON – As Canadians prepare for the arrival of His Royal Highness, Charles, The Prince of Wales and his wife, Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed that Canadians have warmed to the idea of Charles taking his place as King once the current sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is no longer able to reign.

Toronto, ON – The Liberal Fortress of Dalton McGuinty is beginning to crack under the relentless assault of the economy and opposition outcry over government scandal and financial mismanagement, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of Canwest News Service, Global Television and CFRB Radio.

Toronto, ON –Michael Ignatieff’s federal Liberals have tanked to their lowest level since
November 12, 2008 under former leader Stephane Dion according to the latest Ipsos Reid conducted for
Global Television and CanWest News Service.

Toronto, ON – A majority (56%) of Canadians say they're ‘concerned’ (19% very/37% somewhat) that they or someone else in their family may contract the H1N1 flu virus over the next number of weeks or months, up from 47% (9 points) since April of this year, according to a new Ipsos Reid/Canwest News Service/Global Television poll taken in the days Health Canada was considering whether or not to approve the vaccine.

Toronto, ON – Following a week that juxtaposed a relaxed and confident Prime Minister tickling the ivories and singing the popular Beatles tune “With a Little Help from my Friends” with a Leader of the Opposition who is struggling to establish his authority over Liberal MPs and Senators, a new Ipsos Reid poll has revealed that, despite these events, the Conservatives are still shy of majority territory.

Toronto, ON – As politicians return to Ottawa in preparation for a series of showdowns over the next few weeks that could see the government defeated on a matter of confidence as early as Friday, all eyes are on Jack Layton as he considers whether to work with the government or to defeat it and plunge Canada into another federal election.
A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television has found that Stephen Harper and his Conservatives (39%, unchanged) hold the hammer over Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals (30%, up 2 points).

Toronto, ON – Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Liberals have managed to stay the course amidst a barrage of summer blues, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service, Global Television and CFRB Radio.

Toronto, ON –- Canadians’ support for the current mission in Afghanistan is holding relatively steady according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television. In 2005 support for the Afghanistan mission was at 52% and is now at 48% -- this at a time when the first half of July alone has witnessed 43 coalition troops having died including four Canadians, one Italian, 15 British and 23 Americans.

Toronto, ON – Mayor David Miller may have lost his lustre—dropping from 69% approval rating in 2005 to just 43% as revealed in a poll yesterday—but, almost in spite of their municipal leadership, Toronto residents assess their local neighbourhood’s (82%), the city, overall (77%) and the quality of services the city provides (76%) with ‘good marks”

Toronto, ON – It appears that it’s not just the potential stench of rotting garbage that may be in the air in Toronto, brought on by 30,000 inside and outside municipal workers who have staged a strike over such things as rolled up sick day cash-out’s, affecting pretty much everything the city manages—from garbage and recycling to city daycare to summer camp programs for kids.

Toronto, ON – While many (53%) Canadians ‘agree’ (21% strongly/32% somewhat) that ‘our parliament isn’t working’, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television reveals that a majority (53%) ‘agrees’ (20% strongly/34% somewhat) that ‘Stephen Harper and the Conservatives are doing a good job of managing the issues that are most important to Canadians and should continue to govern’.

Toronto, ON – Despite rumblings and rhetoric that could potentially lead to a summer election triggered by a showdown over Employment Insurance, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television has revealed that the vast majority (68%) of Canadians believe that ‘there’s no need for an election’ at the moment and that the ‘federal political process is operating just fine’.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll, conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television, reveals that while the current leadership race for the Ontario Provincial Conservatives may have swelled its own membership ranks as well as the profiles of the four candidates in the media, it has so far failed to translate into support for the PC Party itself among the provincial electorate.

Toronto, ON — Canadians’ views on the economy have become more positive and the outlook for the future is more optimistic than at any point in the last two decades, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television.

Toronto, ON — It appears that the surge in support that Michael Ignatieff and the Liberals have received over the past few months, culminating in a final lift around the time of the Liberal Convention, has finally been halted by Stephen Harper and the Conservatives. A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed that the Tories (35%, up 2 points) have taken a slim lead over the Grits (33%, down 3 points).

Toronto, ON – As countries across the world take precautions to stop the spread of what was coined as swine flu at the outset but is now officially known as H1N1 (as individuals cannot contract the flu from eating swine or hog products), a new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National has revealed that just one in seven (15%) are ‘very concerned’ with catching the flu – notable considering the alleged pandemic hype. In total, fewer than one half (47%) of Canadians are ‘concerned’ (15% very much/33% somewhat) that ‘they or someone else in their family might contract this flu over the next number of weeks or months’.

Toronto, ON — As Liberals from across the country gather in Vancouver to rally around Michael Ignatieff to officially crown him as Leader of the Party, a new Ipsos Reid poll reveals that the Liberals have a slight lead over Prime Minister Harper and his governing Conservatives.

Toronto, ON – As four contenders battle it out for the leadership of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television indicates that whoever is elected as the new leader on June 25th will have their work cut out for them. The poll comes in the wake of the provinces March 27, 2009 budget and some controversy that has swirled about the proposed harmonizing of the federal and provincial sales taxes.

Toronto, ON – A majority of Canadians are giving Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty "good marks" for the various initiatives they've taken in the last number of months to deal with the Canadian economy.

Toronto, ON – As Christians mark the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ this coming weekend, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National has revealed that six in ten (58%) Canadians ‘definitely believe in God’, down from 64% who said the same in 2003. Further, 13% of Canadians indicate that ‘sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t’ believe in God, statistically unchanged (down 1 point) from six years ago.

Toronto, ON – Amid a barrage of bad-news stories dealing with gloomy economic forecasts, deep deficits and job losses, even in this time of recession Canadians remain optimistic, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National.

Toronto, ON — Six in ten (60%) Canadians were either in the dark (51%) for Earth Hour or participated in some other way (9%), according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National. While four in ten (40%) did not participate, Earth Hour appears to have achieved its goal of raising environmental awareness, with three quarters (74%) ‘agreeing’ (21% strongly/52% somewhat) that it got them to think more about what they can do to help the environment, including 59% of those who did not participate in the event. But almost all (96%) Canadians ‘agree’ (70% strongly/26% somewhat) that ‘in order to help the environment we need to do more than turn off our lights for one hour each year’.

Toronto, ON – As politicians in Ottawa focus on how best to spend budgeted stimulus funds to help steer Canada out of an economic recession by creating jobs, a new Ipsos Reid poll of over 2,000 Canadians conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed that Michael Ignatieff and his Liberal Party continue to make gains on Prime Minister Harper’s Conservative Government.

Toronto, ON — As the RRSP deadline for the 2008 tax year quickly approaches, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television reveals that while there will likely be more contributors to RRSPs this year over last, many existing contributors are poised to scale back the amount of their contributions.

Toronto, ON — With the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver just one year away, the Canadian Olympic Committee has set a goal of winning the most medals at the 2010 games. Despite finishing third in the medal count at the last Winter Olympic Games in 2006 – five medals behind first-place Germany – a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed that few (9%) believe the expectations set for the Canadian athletes competing in the 2010 games are ‘unrealistic and overly ambitious’.

Toronto, ON — As John Tory officially hits the hustings leading up to a by-election on March 5, 2009 that could put him back in the Ontario Legislature as the Official Leader of the Opposition, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal Party continue to have a large province-wide lead over the other parties.

Toronto, ON – With the budget now passed as a result of Liberal support, and with the Conservatives put on ‘probation’ by Mr. Ignatieff, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed a narrowing of the gap between the Tories and the Grits.

Toronto, ON – The public verdict is in on the latest Conservative Budget: while hardly personally inspiring or spending-confidence building, a majority of Canadians give the government marks for trying to get the economy back on track, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canwest News Service and Global Television.

Toronto, ON – As Canadians face the prospect of another showdown in parliament over the budget – deemed a matter of confidence that could cause the government to fall and have the Governor General ask a coalition to form the government or call an election– a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed that most Canadians are looking to avoid a situation that will put the Governor General in this position.

Toronto, ON – As Canadians await the presentation of the budget on Tuesday, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television reveals that Canadians are most supportive of spending cuts (62%) and deficits (52%), but few (18%) support an increase in taxes.

Toronto, ON – As speculation mounts that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s budget next week will post a deficit of $34 Billion in 2009 and another $30 Billion next year in order to spur a flagging economy, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television reveals that a slim majority (53%) of Canadians believe the government must run a major deficit of at least $30 to $40 Billion in order to ‘stimulate the economy and get us out of this recession’.

Toronto, ON – As Barack Obama becomes President of the United States of America this afternoon, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed that two in three Canadians (65%) believe the overall relationship between Canada and the United States will be ‘better’ for Canada and for Canadians during the Barack Obama Presidency compared to the George Bush Presidency.

Toronto, ON – Incoming President Barack Obama is expected to issue an order to close the Guantanamo detention center in his first week in office, and prisoner Omar Khadr, a Canadian citizen and the only Western citizen still held at the detention camp who is scheduled to stand trial later this month, could be transferred to U.S. civilian detention or returned to Canada if Prime Minister Stephen Harper asks the Americans to repatriate him.

Toronto, ON – Three quarters (76%) of Canadians believe the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States is a ‘good thing’ —up a full 50 points compared with data collected on the eve of President Bush’s second inauguration in 2004 when only 26% thought his re-election was a ‘good thing’.

Toronto, ON – On the eve of an historic transition of power in the United States, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed a stark contrast of opinions towards outgoing President George W. Bush and incoming President Barack Obama.

Toronto, ON – Tuesday, January 20, 2009, will mark the day in American history when the first African American will be inaugurated as President of the United States, and it appears that millions of Canadians want to bear witness to the live events in Washington, DC.

Toronto, ON – Amidst deepening economic concern, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed that a majority (55%) of Canadians still believe that Canada is ‘moving in the right track’, the proportion of which is unchanged since late May of last year. On the flip side, nearly four in ten (37%) Canadians believe Canada is ‘headed in the wrong direction’, a decrease of two points. One in ten (9%) doesn’t know what to think about where Canada is headed going forward.

Toronto, ON –A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television reveals that in the wake of a major Parliamentary debacle that led to a hasty proroguing of the House of Commons until late January, and the ascension of Michael Ignatieff to become the new leader of the Federal Liberal Party, Prime Minister Stephen Harper still leads his rivals in most assessed leadership categories, but the margin has been narrowed somewhat by Mr. Ignatieff compared with his predecessor Stephane Dion .

Toronto, ON – When it comes to love and emotional commitment, it appears that men (70%) and women (73%) agree on at least one thing: that they mean different things for each gender. On the whole, 72% agree that ‘for a man, love and emotional commitment is in some way separate and apart from the central focus of his life’, but that ‘for a woman, love and emotional commitment is the very centre of her life – it could even be called her whole existence’.

Toronto, ON – According to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National, a majority (67%) of Canadians believe in angels. More specifically, four in ten (37%) say they ‘certainly’ believe in angels, while three in ten (30%) ‘somewhat’ believe in them. Two in ten (21%) ‘don’t entirely’ believe in them, and just 12% don’t believe in them ‘at all’.

Toronto, ON – With struggling North American automakers going cap-in-hand to the U.S. and Canadian federal governments, and with pledges of assistance from both governments, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global National has revealed that a majority (58%) of Canadians say it’s ‘unwise for the federal government to provide this assistance, because it would set a precedent that means other industries should be supported, and it doesn’t guarantee the companies will stay alive for more than a few months’.

Toronto, ON – With a recession looming over Canada, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television has revealed that a majority of Canadians intend to spend either the same (51%) or more (7%) on holiday gifts for their friends and family this year than last. Just four in ten (39%), intend to spend less this year.
Further, Canadians still appear to be in a generous spirit in spite of the economic slowdown, with most (53%) indicating that they will end up giving more than they receive. One quarter (22%) suggests they will give about the same amount of gifts as they receive this year, while some will give less than they receive (6%) this holiday season.

Toronto, ON – After running on a theme of being the clear party choice in uncertain economic times, Prime Minister Harper's Conservatives are left in the final days of the 2008 election campaign fighting to convince Canadians that they actually have a plan to deal with the impact of the worldwide economic crisis on Canada: only 30% think they have one, while 55% say they don’t.‪

Toronto, ON –With the French and English language debates concluded, those
Canadians who watched at least one of the debates (37%) have had a chance to reflect on not only what they
witnessed but also ingest the barrage of commentary from spinmeisters, media and pundits that followed.
A new Ipsos Reid poll, conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television, finds that Prime
Minister Stephen Harper tops the list with the most votes when the combined debate viewing crowd is asked
who they think won.

Toronto, ON – Amid the backdrop of an economic crisis south of the border and plummeting markets on both sides of it, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted between Tuesday and Thursday of this week, on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National, reveals that the Tories have tumbled in Quebec, likely fuelled at least in part by the arts cut controversy that has been dogging the Prime Minister, and the French-Language leaders’ debate.

Toronto, ON – Amidst severe economic turmoil and massive market sell-offs in Toronto and around the world, the collapse of banks and financial institutions in the U.S. and abroad, a squeeze on credit availability and a controversial bail-out plan by the U.S. government, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National finds that Canadians’ confidence in their economy is still relatively strong and stable.

Toronto, ON -- The results of an near instantaneous Ipsos Reid/CanWest News Service
poll, conducting during Thursday night’s English-language leaders’ debate among English-speaking voters
who were watching the debate, has revealed:

Toronto, ON – About two thirds of Canadians plan to be debate-watching on October 2nd, but they will have to choose between the English-language federal Leaders’ debate here in Canada or the Vice-Presidential debate south of the border. A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National finds that three in ten (28%) plan to watch only the Canadian Leaders’ debate, 4% will watch only the U.S. vice-presidential debate, and one in three (32%) indicates that they will flip between both debates.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that neither the Conservative nor Liberal brands fare very well: majorities say both parties are “unfair,” “dishonest,” “unfeeling,” “stale,” “phoney,” and “out of touch” with Canadians.

Toronto, ON – Amid remarks from NDP Leader Jack Layton that he might ‘entertain’ joining with the Liberals in a coalition government to prevent the Harper Conservatives from forming a majority government, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National finds that only four in ten (39%) Canadians would ‘approve’ (13% strongly/26% somewhat) of this action.

Toronto, ON – With less than a week to go before the French and English-language debates, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National reveals that the Tories (39%) remain in cruise control while the NDP (18%) is closing the gap on the Liberal Party (23%). Since last week, the Tories have held on to their lead (down 1 point), but the Liberals have dropped 4 points, in comparison to a 3-point gain for the NDP.

Ottawa, ON – According to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television, the most important factor in determining how most Canadians will vote is ‘the parties’ positions on important issues’ (62%), not what they ‘think about the party leaders’ (21%) or their ‘local candidates’ (17%).

Ottawa, ON – According to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television, the economy (26%) remains the number-one issue for voters in this election campaign. Likely a result of the crisis south of the border with respect to the collapse of three major financial firms, and the subsequent effect it has had on worldwide markets, the proportion of Canadians who choose the economy as the dominant issue in the campaign has risen by 2 points over the last week.

Ottawa, ON – According to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television, it doesn’t appear that Canadians are getting too excited about this election when compared to previous elections. Only two in ten (21%) Canadians are paying more attention to this election than ones in the past. The majority (65%) say they’re giving it about the same amount of attention as others, while 14% even say they’re paying even less attention than previous elections.

Ottawa, ON – Against a backdrop of ever increasing economic uncertainty and a strong attack this past week by the Prime Minister against the Bloc Quebecois, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National reveals that that Tory traction may finally be biting.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National has revealed that even after two and a half years of governing, only one in three (36%) Canadians ‘agrees’ (14% strongly/21% somewhat) that ‘it’s unfair to say that Stephen Harper and the Conservatives have a hidden agenda’. On the flip side, fully one half (50%) ‘disagrees’ (26% strongly/24% somewhat) with this notion, suggesting that they believe the Prime Minister still might not be sharing his full plans with the public, particularly if he wins a majority government. Fifteen percent (15%) of Canadian’s don’t know what to think about this.

Toronto, ON – It appears that many Canadians might be dreaming of immortality, with a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global Television revealing that, among a list of five superpowers, nearly one half (45%) would choose the ability to heal themselves if injured. One in four (25%) Canadian would choose to time travel, while others would want ‘the ability to mind read – telepathy’ (15%), to fly (10%), or the ability to steal other’s powers.

Ottawa, ON – According to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television, the economy (24%), healthcare (17%), the environment (14%) and taxes (14%) are tops for Canadians when thinking about the issues that they most want political leaders and candidates to be talking about during the campaign. Rounding out the list of ten issues that were presented to Canadians are poverty (6%), jobs/unemployment (6%), crime/justice (4%), education/schools/universities (4%), the armed forces/military/defence (2%) and terrorism (0.5%).

Ottawa, ON – According to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television, Canadians’ impressions of the key Party Leaders took a dip this week, likely a result of political gaffes, missed opportunities and the debate debacle that sideswiped the key messages that the leaders were trying to articulate.

Ottawa, ON – According to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television, after the first week of the official campaign, the Conservative campaign machine has managed to eke out just two points more than what they finished with in the last election two and a half years ago--leaving them well short of a majority.

Toronto, ON –-As the 2008 election campaign gets underway, part II of an exclusive analysis by Ipsos Reid for CanWest Global examines voter preferences broken out by gender and age, rural/urban and education, and income. The analysis of a rolled up sample of 4,013 adult Canadians who were interviewed by telephone from July 8th-August 28th suggests:

Toronto, ON –With a federal election being called today, a new poll conducted for CanWest/Global television by Ipsos Reid finds that Canadians are in the mood for a majority government…but expect the outcome to be a minority government.

Toronto, ON –When Governor General Michaelle Jean has a Sunday morning visit from Prime Minister Stephen Harper asking that Parliament be dissolved and the nation be plunged into an election a full majority (74%) want her to say “yes”.

Toronto, ON –After celebrating his 72nd birthday last week, a new Global Television poll of Americans conducted by Ipsos Reid finds that three in ten (29%) Americans ‘worry about [John McCain’s] potential judgment and stability as President’, based on what they have seen, read or heard. Seven in ten (69%) however, do not share this worry.

Toronto, ON – With the Republican National Convention coming to a close, a new Global Television poll of Americans conducted by Ipsos Reid finds that among registered voters, John McCain (50%) is seen as the favourite over Barack Obama (40%) to ‘keep America strong in the World.’

Toronto, ON –-Prime Minister Stephen Harper is chosen by half [50%] of Canadians as the major federal party leader who would "make the best Prime Minister of Canada" compared to his opponents—31% choose NDP leader Jack Layton while 20% choose Liberal leader Stephane Dion.

Toronto, ON –While Prime Minister Stephen Harper is chosen by most Canadians as the leader who has the attributes and ability to take charge of major issues facing the country, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds only three qualities out of 14 tested emerge to form some measure of consensus in the country to his advantage over all of his political opponents:

Ottawa, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that Stephane Dion’s “Green Shift” carbon tax initiative has taken a seven point tumble in support -- down from 52% in early July when the plan was first introduced to 45% now.

Toronto, ON – With the Republican National Convention underway, a new Global Television poll of Americans conducted by Ipsos Reid finds that 74% are ‘very determined’ and ‘nothing is going to stop’ them from voting. One in ten (13%) is ‘somewhat determined’ but ‘still thinking about whether’ to vote. Four percent (4%) are ‘not very determined’, saying ‘it really is a long shot unless something changes’, and 7% are ‘not at all determined’ because ‘they couldn’t care’ or ‘couldn’t be bothered’.

Toronto, ON – With the Democrat National Convention already concluded and the Republican National Convention commencing tonight, a new Global Television poll of Americans conducted by Ipsos Reid finds that ‘improving the economy’ (78%) and ‘keeping America safe from terrorism’ (74%) are tops when it comes to the issues that Americans say will have ‘a great deal’ of influence on who will get their vote for President on November 4, 2008.

Ottawa, ON – As a potential Federal election looms, triggered by Prime Minister Stephen Harper who decries a “dysfunctional parliament” and a Liberal “Green Shift Carbon Tax” that would damage the economy, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that the Conservatives (33%, down 3 points since August 14, 2008) are just slightly ahead with what otherwise might be considered a statistical tie of Stephane Dion’s Liberal’s (31%, up one point) nationally among decided voters if an election were to happen tomorrow.

Ottawa, ON – With election rhetoric between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Opposition Leader Stephane Dion heating up, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that the Conservatives (36%, up 2 points) continue to lead the Grits (30%, unchanged) nationally among decided voters.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television has found that Canadians are split on whether the Canadian North should be left relatively untouched or whether we should push ahead with exploration and development.

Ottawa, ON – Following a week of sabre rattling and political posturing from the Prime Minister, it appears that many Canadians might have not been around to hear it. A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that national political vote intentions have barely moved, despite an increase of verbal jousting this week that included Stephane Dion’s insistence that Canadians are ready for an election and Stephen Harper’s threats to bring it on.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that a majority of Canadians might be at a tipping point with their anger over issues that affect them. The only two questions that could be asked and can’t yet be answered: what issue will be the lynch pin, and when it could happen.

Toronto, ON – Amid recent media coverage of video footage of an interrogation of Omar Khadr, a Canadian citizen captured by U.S. troops and being held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for his alleged involvement in a firefight in Afghanistan, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that six in ten (60%) Canadians believe ‘Mr. Khadr should remain in U.S. custody because he is being tried by a U.S. military court, and that Canada needs to allow this legal process to finish before deciding whether or not to ask for his return’ to Canada.

Ottawa, ON –A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television has found that 15% of Canadian adults (approximately 3,675,000 individuals) are “separatists” who would, if they had a choice, have their province declare its independence from Canada and have it's own stand-alone country with it's own passport, laws and institutions (12%) or opt out of Canada and join the United States as a new state (3%).

Ottawa, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that the Conservatives (33%) and the Liberals (32%) are statistically tied in vote support across the country. Since the last Ipsos Reid poll in June, the Conservatives have dropped three points nationally, while the Liberals have gained two points across the country.

Toronto, ON – On the heels of the controversial appointment of abortion-rights activist Dr. Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada for his commitment to increased healthcare options for women, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National finds that two thirds (65%) of Canadians ‘support’ (27% strongly/37% somewhat) Dr. Morgentaler receiving Canada’s highest honour.

Toronto, ON – It would appear that as Stephane Dion focuses on selling his ‘Green Shift’ environment plan to Canadians he has a lot of work to do as a full majority don’t recall hearing anything about his plan and of those who do, a majority don’t like their first impression—perhaps seeded, in part, by Conservative Party negative ads and commentary that preceded its unveiling by the Liberal Leader.

Toronto, ON – As the country gathers to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Quebec City, a new Ipsos Reid poll finds that Quebecers and those living in the rest of Canada (“ROC”) have differing opinions on the significance of the event, the protection of the French language, and on other key points relating to Quebec’s place in Canada.

Toronto, ON – As the nation celebrates its birthday, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television has given Canadians across the country the opportunity to reflect on where Canada is currently and where it’s headed going forward.

Ottawa, Canada – A new Ipsos poll of Americans provided exclusively to the CanWest News Service and Global Television shows that presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama enjoys a 7-point lead among likely voters (50% vs. 43%) and a 10-point lead among all U.S. adults aged 18 and over (49% vs. 39%) in terms of voting intentions in the upcoming November U.S. presidential election over apparent Republican Presidential candidate John McCain. The survey also shows that Obama is ahead by six points among Independents (36% vs. 30%).

Ottawa, ON – A majority (52%) of Canadians believe that it would be wrong for the government to screen the content of films and either approve or deny tax credits based on whether or not they deem it to be offensive or ‘contrary to public policy’, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted for CanWest News Service and Global Television.

Ottawa, ON – As the price of gas continues to rise across the country with seemingly no end in sight, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Global National and CanWest News Service reveals that Canadians have already started to change their commuting habits as a result. With Canadians who commute averaging about 18 km each way to work, most of them driving (74%), they appear to be feeling the pain at the pumps.

Ottawa, ON – In anticipation of another formal apology issued by the Federal Government, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that when it comes to issuing federal apologies, two thirds (63%) of Canadians believe ‘it’s about time that the Government and Canadians come to terms with its past actions, and so issuing apologies for past transgressions and mistakes is appropriate’.

Ottawa, ON – In response to the question of whether the safe-injection site that serves the downtown east-side of Vancouver should be closed down or remain open when its protection under a federal-law exemption expires at the end of June, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that a majority of Canadians believe the site is a ‘good thing’ (55%) and that the site ‘should be permitted to remain open past June 30 by extending the federal drug-law exemption’ (54%).

Ottawa, ON – As the summer begins to heat up, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that Prime Minister Harper’s Tories, at 36% support (unchanged), are staying cool with a six-point lead over Stephan Dion’s Grits, who have 30% support (up 1 point). Jack Layton and the NDP are receiving support from 15% (up 1 point) of decided voters nation-wide, while support for Elizabeth May’s Green Party is down 2 points to 9% overall. Seven percent (7%) of voters remain undecided.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds a majority (53%) of Canadians are planning a summer vacation this year, while one in three (34%) Canadians are not planning any vacation, and 14% are as of yet unsure.

Ottawa, ON – On the heels of a series of recent gaffs and the sacking of one of the Conservative Party’s rising stars, Maxime Bernier, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that support for the Conservatives appears not to have suffered as a result. The Conservatives, under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, are receiving support from 36% of decided voters nation-wide (up 1 point), while support for Liberals sits at 29% (down 3 points). The NDP is receiving support from 14% of decided voters (unchanged), and the Green Party has received a bump in support to 11% (up 2 points).

Ottawa, ON – In a week that saw the swift resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier as a result of leaving classified cabinet documents at his ex-girlfriend’s apartment, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that the country is split on whether Prime Minister Harper was right not to answer questions during Question Period and media scrums about Mr. Bernier’s and Ms. Couillard’s relationship.

Toronto, ON – After a long winter, Canadians appear to be looking forward to a little rest and relaxation during the upcoming long weekend, with a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service revealing that nearly four in ten (36%) Canadians, up from 30% last year, say that spending time at the cottage or in the country is their ideal way to spend the Victoria Day long weekend.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll finds that for the first time in ten years, the economy has become the top issue that Canadians believe should receive the greatest attention from Canada’s leaders. When combining their top-two unaided mentions, one in four (25%) Canadians indicated that the economy was the top issue for them.

Ottawa, ON – In a week where a string of economic bad news suggested that Canada might not avoid a recession or a severe downturn, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that, despite a shaky economic situation, Canadians have not shaken-up their political vote preferences.

Toronto, ON – On the heels of General Rick Hillier’s announcement that he will retire from his role as top military-commander of Canada’s Armed Forces, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that nine in ten (92%) Canadians who offered their opinion say he’s done a ‘good job’ (very 49%/somewhat 43%) leading the Forces for the past three years.

Ottawa, ON – Many Canadians remain skittish when thinking about the future of the Canadian economy, with a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National revealing that over one third (36%) of Canadians believe that Canada’s economy will ‘worsen’ in the next year or so, an increase of one percentage point since January. Concern regarding a slowdown here in Canada is likely being fuelled by the recent admission of a possible recession south of the border by the U.S. Federal Reserve, but that concern or anxiety has not yet turned to panic.

Ottawa, ON – In a week where Stephane Dion has taken fire for voting in favour of an immigration bill he opposed, and the Conservatives have been taking heat for stalling in parliamentary committees, a new Ipsos Reid poll finds that Canadian voters remain generally unmoved by the antics in the House of Commons. The Grits (30%, down 3 points) continue to trail the Tories (35%, holding steady).

Toronto, ON – In reaction to a Private Member’s Bill to abolish the Canadian 1-cent piece, the penny, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National finds that a majority (56%) of Canadians ‘supports’ (32% strongly/24% somewhat) getting rid of the penny, while a minority (44%) ‘opposes’ (25% strongly/18% somewhat) its abolition.

Toronto, ON – In the midst of a national debate on how often and when it is appropriate to lower the flag which flies atop the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National finds that most Canadians have sided against the government’s current position.

Ottawa, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that Stephane Dion’s Liberals (33%) are edging closer to Harper’s Conservatives (35%), placing these two leading parties in a statistical tie. Gaining two points since early March, and rising steadily since the middle February, the Liberal Party is narrowing the gap between itself and the reigning Tories.

Ottawa, ON – Following a week of protests in Tibet and around the world against Chinese rule in Tibet and its response in the region, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that Canadians are only luke-warm at this time on the idea of Canada boycotting the Beijing Olympics as a reaction to what is taking place.

Ottawa, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that a majority of Canadians support (23% strongly/33% somewhat) the opposition-led RESP tax-break bill, even though the government has argued that this bill might cause them to run a deficit. Despite support for this bill, the Government, and subsequently the Liberal Party, have decided to support a budget bill which would effectively squash the RESP tax-break legislation.

Ottawa, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that the Cadman controversy has not had a meaningful impact on Canadians’ party support. The ruling Conservatives have the support of 35% of decided voters, while the Liberals remain in second place with 31% support. The NDP have the support of 15% of Canadians, while the Green Party would be the choice of 9% if an election were held tomorrow.

Calgary, AB – Alberta voters view the Progressive Conservatives as heavy favourites to win the provincial election on March 3rd according to a new Ipsos Reid/Global Calgary poll. Three quarters (75%) of Albertans say they expect the Conservatives will win either a majority (45%) or minority (30%) government. Only one-in-ten (10%) voters think the Liberals (8%) or some other party (2%) will win this election. Fourteen percent of Albertans are unsure.

Calgary, AB – As the Alberta provincial election campaign nears the finish line, a new Ipsos Reid/Global Calgary poll shows that none of the campaigns have struck a chord with voters. The only campaign with any positive momentum is that of Paul Hinman and the Wildrose Alliance, with improved impressions among 16% of voters, compared to worsened impressions among 10% of voters.

Ottawa, ON – In a week where the Conservative government delivered its budget, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that the Conservatives are maintaining their lead over the Liberal Party.

Ottawa, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that Canadians have given the edge to Prime Minister Harper over the other federal party leaders when it comes to managing the economy.

Calgary, AB – A new Ipsos Reid/Global Calgary poll shows that Albertans are split as to whether Ed Stelmach has done enough during his 14 months as Premier to deserve another term in the top office. About half (46%) of Albertans think Stelmach has done enough to deserve another term as Premier, while half (47%) do not.

Calgary, AB – A new Ipsos Reid/Global Calgary poll reveals that none of the major political parties have established positive momentum with voters at the midpoint of the campaign. A majority of voters say their impressions of all major leaders and parties have stayed about the same since the start of the election campaign.

Calgary, AB – As the Alberta provincial election campaign reaches its midpoint, a new Ipsos Reid/Global Calgary poll shows the Progressive Conservatives well on their way to another majority government. The governing Tories have the support of 49% of the province’s decided voters. The Liberals are next best at 28%, followed by the NDP at 14%, Wildrose Alliance at 5% and Greens at 4%. These results exclude the two-in-ten (21%) Albertans who are undecided or express no preference.

Ottawa, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that the heated election rhetoric among politicians and pundits alike is failing to sway voters at a national level.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for Global National and CanWest News Service reveals that a majority of Canadians (52%) believe that ‘the price of basic food staples in Canada is rising to levels where the average Canadian cannot afford them’. However, despite the fact that the United Nations says that the rising price of food means that many of the world’s citizens will not be able to afford even the most basic of food staples, nearly one half (48%) of Canadians do not believe that this is the case in Canada.

Toronto, ON – With the federal government having recently announced that it will no longer automatically seek clemency for Canadians on death row in democratic countries abroad, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest news service and Global Television finds that a majority (53%) of Canadians support (strongly 25%/moderately 28%) this policy.

Toronto, ON – With mounting fears and growing concern over a possible economic recession in the United States, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that job anxiety is beginning to rise in Canada. In fact, 17% report that they or someone in their family is worried about losing their job or being laid off, a proportion which is up two points since January 11th and three points since last August. That proportion rises to 23% in Ontario and 21% in Quebec.

Ottawa, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that the federal Conservative Party under Prime Minister Stephen Harper has the support of 37% of decided voters, placing them eight points ahead of Stephane Dion’s Liberals at 29% support.

Toronto, ON – On the heels of the Manley report concerning the future of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that Canadians have given the recommendations a mixed review. One third of Canadians (35%) believe that the recommendations made by Manley comprise a ‘good’ (29%) or ‘great’ plan (6%) for Canada’s troops currently stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Toronto, ON – On the heels of a meeting between the provincial premiers and the Prime Minister at his 24 Sussex residence, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that most Canadians (84%) describe the state of the economy right now as being either ‘good’ (67%) or ‘very good’ (17%). On the other hand, some say the state of the economy is ‘poor’ (13%) or ‘very poor’ (2%). However, looking ahead to the future, two thirds (63%) of Canadians are predicting an economic slowdown.

Ottawa, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that the Conservatives under Stephen Harper have fallen slightly behind the Liberals, slipping two points to 33% support nationally among decided voters.

Toronto, ON –A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that, given the chance to go to a glitzy premiere of a movie, more men would choose to take their mom (35%) than Angelina Jolie (18%), Julia Roberts (18%), Hillary Clinton (8%), Condoleezza Rice (5%), Britney Spears (4%) or Paris Hilton (4%).

Toronto, ON –Looking ahead to 2008, there are lots of things in politics that could be chanced -- and so, we asked Canadians what they thought was a good or bad chance of something happening. The results of the new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television are in, and here are Canadian’s prognostications:

Toronto, ON – When a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television is compared with the findings of an identical poll conducted by Ipsos in the United States this past August, the results reveal that more Americans (73%) than Canadians (69%) have read a book in the past year.

Toronto, ON – As the year comes to an end, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that most (80%) Canadians say that 2007 was a ‘good year’ when compared to other years. To put it in context, last year, three quarters of Canadians (76%) thought that 2006 was a good year, overall.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that while two thirds (66%) of Canadians indicate that they believe in angels and half (48%) of the nation says they believe in spirits and ghosts. One in 10 (10%) Canadians believe that there is a spirit or ghost actually living in their house or residence. To put it in perspective, that's 2.5 million Canadians who believe that when something goes bump in the night it's more than the mice from Ratatouille.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National finds that Canadians have lots of choices to celebrate New Year’s Eve and, when compared to what they were doing almost a decade ago (1998), there are more who will likely be spending time having a quiet evening at home (40%) than there were 10 years back (32%). Maybe it's because we have more baby boomers, or maybe it's just because we want to be more secluded with that loved one to celebrate the ringing in of the new year, but it's just one of the comparative changes that have taken place over the last decade.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global National finds that 4.9 million Canadians (20% of the entire adult population) indicate that if they had the means and the ability they'd have cosmetic surgery done. But it's women (27%) more than men (13%) who are likely to say they'd have a nip and tuck -- and not surprisingly, it's more likely for those who are middle aged (24%) and those who are younger (21%) to say that they want to have cosmetic surgery than those who are older (17%)

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that a majority (56%) of Canadians believe that when it comes to making the big decisions in their family, they themselves have the final word. With a majority of Canadians claiming to make the big decisions, the data suggests that some Canadians might think they’re making the decisions when in fact someone else is in charge.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll released today and conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that while most (94%) Canadians celebrate Christmas, the meaning of Christmas is not the same for all Canadians. A majority (60%) who celebrate Christmas say, for them, it is best described as ‘a time for family’, virtually unchanged from the 57% who believed the same in 1995.

Ottawa, ON – It appears that Harper’s Tories are getting a big chunk of coal from Canadians this holiday season, with a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global television finding that the Conservatives are failing to make any headway, holding steady at 35% support nationally. The Liberals, on the other hand, are having their stockings filled, rising from 29% to 33% support, and placing them only two points behind the Tories. The NDP and Green Parties have each dipped one point, and now sit at 15% and 8% support, respectively. Seven percent (7%) of Canadians remain undecided.

Ottawa, ON – After weighing the testimony of German businessman Karlheinz Schreiber and former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney delivered before the House of Common’s Ethics Committee, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that just three in ten (27%) Canadians believe that Mulroney’s testimony is closer to the truth. Interestingly, the same proportion (27%) considers Schreiber’s testimony to be closer to the truth.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that Canadians have given a better assessment of Santa’s performance this year over last year. In fact, more than three quarters (76%) of Canadians ‘approve’ of Santa’s overall performance in the past year, while fewer than three quarters (73%) approved of his performance last year. Just 12% of Canadians would disapprove of Santa’s performance this year, down from 15% last year, and another 12% don’t know how they would rate his performance.

Toronto, ON – It appears that Santa might be wearing stars and stripes this holiday season, with a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television revealing that nearly one quarter (22%) of Canadians indicate that they’ll do some holiday shopping in the United Sates either in person (11%) or online (16%). However, with the strength of the Canadian dollar driving many to shop south of the border, Canadian retailers could wind up with a lump of coal in their holiday stockings this year.

Toronto, ON – On the heels of Conrad Black’s sentence to 6 ½ years in an American prison after being found guilty of fraud and obstruction of justice charges, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that Canadians want Black to serve his prison time in the United States, where he was convicted, and not be allowed to serve his time in Canada. In fact, seven in ten (68%) Canadians would be opposed (53% strongly/15% somewhat) to ‘the Canadian government allowing him to serve his time here in this country’. Just three in ten (29%) would support (13% strongly/16% somewhat) this decision.

Ottawa, ON – In a week of testimony by former businessman Karlheinz Schreiber before Parliament’s ethics committee that produced revelations, allegations and contradictions concerning alleged dealings with former federal Conservative heavyweights Brian Mulroney, former cabinet minister Elmer MacKay and then Tory leadership hopeful and now Quebec Premier Jean Charest, it would appear that the Harper Conservative brand has taken a hit with support dropping to 35%, mainly as a result of sagging Tory fortunes in Ontario and Quebec.

Toronto, ON – With toy recalls abound, particularly relating to those imported from China, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that most Canadians (84%) agree that they are ‘concerned about the safety of toys being imported into Canada’, while just 15% disagree that this is the case.

Ottawa, ON – As the Schreiber-Mulroney Affair continues to instigate heated debate in the House of Commons and the news media, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that two thirds (65%) of Canadians agree that ‘the federal government should delay the extradition of Karlheinz Schreiber’ until the newly-announced public inquiry is concluded. On the other hand, three in ten (31%) disagree that the government should delay his extradition.

Ottawa, ON – Prime Minister Harper and his Conservative government continue to lead the pack, with a new Ipsos Reid poll revealing that the Tories have the support of 39% (a decline of three points) of decided voters. However, in the midst of the controversy surrounding the Schreiber-Mulroney Affair, the gap between the Tories and the Grits has narrowed slightly, with Dion’s Liberals sitting at 29% support nationally (an increase of one point). The NDP is holding steady with 15% support nation-wide, while the Green Party has the support of 8% of decided voters, which represents an increase of one point. Eight percent (8%) of voters remain undecided.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television indicates that amidst controversy and investigations over the use of Tasers by police, Canadians are relatively split as to whether or not law-enforcement officials should ‘continue to use taser devices because they are effective alternatives to using a gun’ and that ‘a thorough investigation about their safety, effectiveness and appropriateness can proceed without them being taken out of use’ (52%), or whether ‘governments and agencies should have the police or anyone else stop using these taser devices until the public inquiry investigating the safety, effectiveness and appropriateness of tasers has been conducted’ (46%).

Ottawa, ON – In a week where the Senate was the focus of debate, and amid calls for a national referendum on the topic, a new Ipsos Reid Poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that two thirds (64%) of Canadians either ‘strongly’ (35%) or ‘somewhat’ (30%) support the undertaking of a referendum to determine the future of the Senate as a parliamentary institution in Canada. Just one quarter (26%) of Canadians ‘strongly’ (13%) or ‘somewhat oppose’ (13%) the idea of having a referendum on the future of the Senate.

Ottawa, ON – Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party have been lifted to their high water mark in terms of national support, with a new Ipsos Reid Poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television revealing that the Conservative Party now enjoys the unprecedented support of 42% of Canadian decided voters, a three-point climb nationally since last week.

Ottawa, ON – In a week where Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered an Economic Update on the state of Canada’s economy and finances, and promised to cut taxes and the GST to 5% in the new year, a new Ipsos Reid poll conduced exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television during the three evenings following the announcement reveals that, nationally, the Conservatives have not gained any favour among voters despite a generally positive assessment of Flaherty’s mini-budget and announced tax cuts.

Ottawa, ON – In a week where the House of Commons voted on the Throne Speech and federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty met with retailers and, ‘standing up for consumers’, announced that Canadians ‘deserve to pay a price [for goods] that reflects the strength of the Canadian Dollar’, it appears that the Conservatives are finding it hard to break through the elusive 40% majority-territory barrier.

Ottawa, ON – In light of the Harper Government’s Throne Speech this week and Liberal Leader Stephane Dion’s subsequent decision not to defeat the government, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service reveals that while two thirds of Canadians do not want an election to be held until at least the spring (68%), if an election were at some point to be forced by the opposition parties, a majority believe that the best outcome from that election would be to elect a majority (58%) government, not a minority (34%).

Ottawa, ON – When Governor-General Michaelle Jean lays out the minority Conservative governments Speech from the Throne on the evening of Tuesday, October 15, 2007, there is a line that will not appear in the text; but if Canadians could write it, it would be as follows: don't defeat the Throne Speech when the government brings it to Parliament for a vote because there is nothing in it worth defeating the government over and forcing or causing an election. Further, if the Throne Speech is defeated and causes an election, it is the Opposition, and not the government who will wear the blame.

Ottawa, ON – With the political battlefield of Parliament returning and with weapons drawn it would appear the largest number of Canadians (63%) believe that Prime Minister Stephen Harper has the ‘right stuff’ of leadership qualities and skills compared to all other federal party leaders. This compares with NDP Leader Jack Layton at 57% and BQ Leader Gilles Duceppe at 63% in his province of Québec (15% nationally), and Opposition and Liberal leader Stephan Dion with the lowest ratings of all of the Federal leaders at 36%.

Toronto, ON – With the Conservative Government’s Speech from the Throne due to be delivered next week, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that the Tories under Stephen Harper are now within sight of a majority federal government. The Conservatives, at 40% support among Canadian decided voters, have now opened up a twelve-point lead over the Liberal Party which has fallen to just 28% support nationally. The New Democratic Party, under the leadership of Jack Layton, has the support of 16% of decided voters, while the Green Party under Elizabeth May has the support of 7% of Canadians.

Toronto, ON – With the re-election of Dalton McGuinty to the Premier’s Office for the next four years, Ipsos Reid’s Election Day Poll of more than 7,500 voting Ontarians, conducted exclusively on behalf of Global Television and CanWest News Service, reveals the priorities which Ontarians believe should be the focus of McGuinty’s government going forward.

Toronto, ON – After a relatively short campaign period comes to an end and the fate of Ontario’s political landscape lies in the hands of Ontarians, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television reveals that voter turnout will likely be a key factor in determining the outcome of this election.

Toronto, ON – It appears that Progressive Conservative leader John Tory’s change of heart on the faith-based school funding issue this past Monday has not changed the minds of Ontarians. Mr. Tory announced that any vote on the controversial matter would be preceded by broad consultation and then follow with a ‘free vote’ in the Legislature.

Toronto, ON – As the fallout from last week’s leaders debate settles in the minds of Ontarians, and amid growing opposition to the faith-based school funding issue, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service reveals that the lead that the Liberals have enjoyed over their chief rival Progressive Conservatives has risen now to a ten-point gap.

Toronto, ON – As the party leaders focus their attention on preparing for the debate on September 20th, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that Ontario voters remain virtually unmoved since Ipsos Reid’s last poll. In what promises to be a critical debate in defining the platforms and ideas of parties, Tory’s Progressive Conservatives at 37% support remain in close striking distance of McGuinty’s Liberals who lead at 40% support. However, with the Liberals still in the lead, it appears as though the Liberals are in reach, but just out of grasp of trailing Tories. The NDP under Howard Hampton are holding steady at 16% support, while the Green Party is standing pat at 6% support. Nine percent of voters remain undecided.

Toronto, ON – As the party leaders begin to criss-cross the province on their buses (or bikes) during the first week of the campaign trail, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that support for all of the parties has essentially remained the same since polling conducted in the week before the campaign got underway.

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television and released on the eve of the official launch of the Ontario provincial election campaign finds that John Tory’s Progressive Conservatives have narrowed the gap in their race against Dalton McGuinty’s Ontario Liberals from a seven-point deficit measured on August 24th to a five-point deficit today--a result that comes in the face of John Tory’s apparently unpopular stance in favour of faith-based funding for schools, which apparently has been partially offset by the latest Conservative “McGuinty’s record of broken promises” radio blitz.

Toronto, ON – In a week where Ontario Premier McGuinty declares faith based school funding a ‘ballot issue’ and promotes a ‘highway of heroes’, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that McGuinty’s Liberals have benefited from a growth spurt, gaining two points in the last week, while Tory’s Progressive Conservatives have dropped two points in the same time frame. While support for the PCs was maintaining close proximity to levels of support for the governing Liberals since May, the Liberals have now widened the gap to a lead of 7 points.

Toronto, ON – As the famed Van Doos Regiment from Quebec assumes its tour of duty in Afghanistan and suffers through its first three deaths in the past week, a new Ipsos Reid poll conduced exclusively on behalf of CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that support within Quebec for the combat mission in Afghanistan has climbed 5 points since July, rising from 30% support to 35% support. More specifically, one in ten (10%) Quebecers now ‘strongly support the use of Canada’s troops for security and combat efforts against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan’, while one quarter (24%) are ‘somewhat’ in support.

Toronto, ON – As the Ontario provincial election to be held in October draws near, the Liberals and the PCs are moving in lockstep, province-wide, with the results of a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finding that the Liberals under Dalton McGuinty have the support of 40% of Ontarians, while John Tory’s Progressive Conservatives are in close striking distance with the support of 37% of Ontarians. Since Ipsos Reid’s last poll released in June of 2007, both the Grits and the Tories have only managed to increase their support by 1% point each province-wide, despite stepping up their pre-election efforts.

Toronto, ON – When it comes to their food, two thirds (66%) of Canadians say that they are either ‘very’ (30%) or ‘somewhat concerned’ (36%) with the safety of the food that they eat, while one third (34%) of Canadians indicate that they are ‘not really’ (22%) or ‘not at all concerned’ (12%) with the safety of their food.

Toronto, ON – Despite controlling the government benches and federal agenda for the past 18 months, Stephen Harper’s Conservative government has failed to improve its support among the electorate. A new Ipsos Reid poll finds that the Conservatives, at 34% support nationally, are down slightly from the results of the General Election in January of 2006 (36%), and have continued to hover around that level of support since taking office a year and a half ago. As the federal Conservative caucus meets in Charlottetown this week to reflect on the past 18 months and to plan the government’s agenda for the fall session of parliament, some Tories may be scratching their heads to figure out what they have to do to pull away from the Liberal Party that follows closely at 32% support nationally. With Harper’s government still some distance away from majority territory—which typically requires a minimum of 40% support across the country—it appears that Canadians might have to brace for many more sessions of minority government politics.

Toronto, ON – With the death of six soldiers in Afghanistan last week fresh in the minds of Canadians, fully one half (50%) maintain that they either ‘strongly’ (23%) or ‘somewhat support’ (27%) ‘the use of Canada’s troops for security and combat efforts against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan’. On the other hand, 45% of Canadians indicate that they either ‘strongly’ (26%) or ‘somewhat oppose’ (19%) the current mission in Afghanistan.

General Summer Do’s and Don’ts

Toronto, ON – With the appointment of William Elliott, a senior civil servant and bureaucrat, to the position of Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Prime Minister Stephen Harper broke with the traditional practice of promoting someone from within the force to lead the RCMP. However, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that a majority of Canadians (58%) agree that ‘Prime Minister Harper was right in making this appointment, because a non-police officer will see things in a fresh light and bring greater accountability and good management practices to the force, regardless of the internal RCMP support he gets.’

Toronto, ON – As Canadians enjoy the balmy weather and hot summer sun this Canada Day weekend, the Ontario provincial election race tightens, with levels of support for the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives drawing closer to each other. A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that the Liberals under Dalton McGuinty have the support of 39% of Ontarians, while John Tory’s Progressive Conservatives are hot on their trail with the support of 36% of Ontarians.

Toronto, ON – Speaking about Canada’s policies on refugees, compared to other countries similar to Canada, four in ten (41%) Canadians think Canada should do more for refugees than other countries do. Conversely, just one in ten (8%) Canadians think that Canada should do less than what other similarly-developed countries do for refugees, while nearly half (48%) maintain that Canada should do the same amount for refugees as whatever the average country does.

Toronto, ON - A new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that a majority (54%) of Canadians ‘strongly’ (17%) or ‘moderately’ (36%) agree that discrimination against minorities is a problem in Canada. While this might suggest that some tension exists among the multitude of ethnic groups that make up the diverse ethnic culture of Canada and those who were born here, fewer Canadians are of this opinion now than they were in the past. A similar study in 1993 revealed that seven in ten (70%) Canadians agreed that discrimination of minorities in Canada was a problem, while six in ten (60%) in 1998 agreed with that sentiment and 54% currently agree, showing a steady decline over the last 14 years.

Toronto, ON - – Facing a rebellion within his own party in Atlantic Canada, the threat of lawsuits over oil revenues from three provinces and charges during the G8 Summit that his government is too close to U.S. President George Bush on global warming, the sweet days of spring have been sour indeed for Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservatives. And it shows. Since May 24, the Conservatives have seen their support erode from 37% to 32%, according to the latest poll conducted by Ipsos Reid for CanWest and Global TV.

Toronto, ON – Canada, a land of immigrants, appears to have citizens who are becoming more positive in their attitudes towards immigrants and immigration than they were over a decade ago. The results of a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television reveal that 90% of Canadians disagree that ‘Canada would be better off if immigrants went back to where they came from’. This is compared to slightly less (85%) who in a similar survey conducted in 1993 disagreed with this sentiment.

Toronto, ON – Canadians perceptions of crime levels in their communities are less grim than they were 13 years ago, with fewer Canadians indicating that they perceive an increase in the level of crime in the last five years. Less than half (46%) now indicate that they perceive ‘great’ (13%) or ‘moderate’ (33%) increases in crime in their communities in the last five years, compared to seven in ten (68%) Canadians who, in 1994, indicated that increases in crime were ‘great’ (24%) or ‘moderate’ in the five years previous (44%).

Toronto, ON – With the release of Dr. Jack Kevorkian from prison in the United States last week after serving eight years behind bars, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted exclusively for CanWest News Service and Global Television finds that just one quarter (25%) of Canadians believe that ‘doctor-